Farmer in 10-year ban for animal welfare breaches

A farmer has been banned from owning or managing livestock for 10 years after being found guilty of a series of animal welfare offences.

Alexander Blackwell, 41, appeared at North Staffordshire Justice Centre over offences relating to about 200 sheep, 100 poultry, 23 cows and 46 pigs.

Concerns at Alder Carr Farm in Mayfield, near Ashbourne, on the Staffordshire/Derbyshire border, included broken livestock pens, animals kept in unacceptable conditions and the discovery of a number of dead animals.

Blackwell was also sentenced to a 12-month community order, 25 rehabilitation days and 150 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay £4,000 in costs and a £114 victim surcharge.

"This is a very distressing case in lots of different ways, certainly from the animals perspective and looking at the photographs provided," said the magistrate in delivering their judgment.

"The neglect and lack of care for the animals at the time was pretty horrendous."

The magistrate said Blackwell's lack of understanding about the issues, the environmental risks and non-compliance with advice to resolve them was "a serious concern".

The court heard how an Animal Plant Health Agency officer visited the farm and found several sheep in poor condition, including one that was severely debilitated and unable to rise without help.

A full welfare inspection the next day discovered the farm was in a state of disrepair with scrap vehicles and broken livestock pens.

The pigs lacked access to water and appropriate bedding, and were very thin due to having to compete for food.

The pens were contaminated with hazardous debris and several pigs were roaming freely around the farm where they were exposed to hazards including car batteries and barbed wire, the court heard.

The remains of a dead cow were found inside one of the pens and others were found in poor condition.

The court heard Blackwell said he was "unaware" of the remains.

The cows' feeders were broken and no recent food provided, the court also heard.

Officers also noticed a pile of burnt silage and on the side were seven dead pigs, including piglets.

Additionally, there was a large bonfire, not yet set alight, which contained the remains of a sheep.

The law states that animal carcasses should be covered until properly disposed of.

Following a series of inspections between December 2024 and September 2025, recurring welfare breaches were uncovered along with a consistent failure to follow veterinary advice.

In a previous statement to the court, Blackwell stated he was being treated for mental health conditions including stress, anxiety and depression and had become overwhelmed with work on the farm.

He has since stopped farming and the site is now used for camping.

Cabinet member at Staffordshire County councillor Anthony Screen said afterwards it was an "appalling case involving prolonged and completely unacceptable conditions for large numbers of animals".

"Keeping livestock brings with it clear legal and moral responsibilities," he said.

"Where these are ignored, we will take robust action to safeguard animal welfare and uphold public confidence in the farming industry."

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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