Farmer fined after neighbour films grandchild in tractor cab
3rd September 2024
Howard Walters was sentenced after a neighbour filmed him feeding his cattle with his grandchild in the tractor cab.
South Wales farmer Howard Walters, 78, has been given a 12-month community order and ordered to pay £3,500 after being filmed with his grandchild in the tractor cab.
Mr Walters had previously been issued with a prohibition notice by the Health & Safety Executive in November 2020, after admitting to inspectors that he allowed his pre-teen grandchildren to ride in the tractor.
Two months later, his neighbour filmed him breaching the terms of the notice.
An HSE inspector who investigated Mr Walters said the law is “very clear”.
Children under 13 are prohibited from driving or riding on or in any agricultural machine.
Mr Walters, of Tirmynydd Farm in Birchgrove, Swansea, also had a suspended prison sentence at the time, for an unrelated environmental offence.
During a case heard on 27th August 2024 at Swansea Crown Court, he pleaded guilty to breaching section 33(1)(g) Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
Mr Walters was fined £500 for breaching the terms of his previous sentence.
He was also ordered to pay £3,000 in costs and given a 12-month community order, which requires him to attend 25 days of rehabilitation.
“For any child to ride on agricultural machinery like a tractor is unsafe and illegal.
Law is clear
HSE inspector Simon Breen said: “The law around children being allowed in the cabs of any agricultural vehicle is very clear.
“The fact this farmer chose to ignore a prohibition notice for putting his grandchildren at risk is all the more staggering.
“We will take action against those who break the law.
“The solution is very simple – young children should never ride in agricultural vehicles.”
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