Fine for escaped cow on platform

A cattle market has been fined £15,000 after a half tonne heifer severely injured a worker before escaping onto a railway station platform.

After trampling the employee the animal fled through four open gates into Rugby town centre, spending five minutes in the station, Warwick Crown Court heard.

Rugby Livestock Sales Ltd had already admitted failing to ensure the safety of its employees and the public.

Employee Andrew Truelove suffered brain injuries and multiple skull fractures.

The court heard the two-year-old Limousin cow became agitated while being taken to a holding pen shortly after being sold at the weekly council-owned market.

It bolted past several herdsmen before injuring 43-year-old Mr Truelove and then jumping over a small perimeter wall and making its way to the platform, which was under repair.

Prosecutor Adam Farrer said two police constables followed and called in armed colleagues, but the animal had returned to the cattle market before marksmen could arrive.

Nigel Fryer, defending, said a foolproof system to prevent escapes should have been in place, but added that market operators did not have a "cavalier" attitude to health and safety.