Farmer snaps at student on field trip

Aug 14 2008 by Our Correspondent, North Wales Weekly News

A PHOTOGRAPHIC student was attacked by a farmer when he went to take a picture from a field.

James Bell Dinwoodie, 62, punched student Darren Roberts at the entrance to the hillside field between Upper Colwyn Bay and Bryn-y-Maen.

Dinwoodie, of Chapel Street, Mochdre, told police he had neither punched nor argued with Mr Roberts, who lives in Colwyn Bay.

Dinwoodie said anyone on a farm field in July last year was involved in a “serious trespass” because of a foot-and-mouth scare.

A court at Llandudno found Dinwoodie guilty of common assault. He must pay fines, damages and costs of £684 despite claiming to be on income support.

Court chairman Len Jones said farmers had been under great stress because of the foot-and-mouth scare and Dinwoodie may have over-reacted.

Alun Humphries, prosecuting, revealed that in 2004 Dinwoodie had been given a conditional discharge for assault.

Assault victim Mr Roberts told how he had taken the number of the farmer’s tractor after being hit twice during the unprovoked attack.

Defence solicitor Henry Hills said the ID parade was not until 11 weeks later, and Mr Roberts was not sure of the farmer’s identity.