Dirty protest: Farmer showers crown court with FIVE TONS of manure
AN ANGRY farmer showered a crown court with five tonnes of MUCK today in a dirty protest against the "flawed judicial system."
An angry farmer showered a crown court with manure in a protest
Dramatic pictures taken at the scene show a red Massey Ferguson tractor and industrial muck spreader parked outside Derby Crown Court.
Police dashed to the scene after reports of a tractor and muck spreader covering the court in muck just after 7am.
A sign in the tractor's cabin read: "What a shame!!!
A Massey Gerguson tractor and an industrial muck spreader were parked outside of Derby Crown Court
"What a shame to have to resort to this, today is a personal protest against the
severely flawed judicial system that has consitantly failed to listen to simple truth & reason.
"Sorry for any inconvenience cause (to the general public)."
A 49-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of criminal damage. It is believed the man owned the tractor and spreader.
A spokesman for Derbyshire Police said: "We have arrested a man after muck was spread across the steps outside Derby Crown Court this morning.
"A passer-by called us at 7.10am, reporting that a tractor and muck spreader had pulled up outside the building, in Morledge, and that muck had been sprayed.
Police rushed to the scene after 7am after getting reports of the incident
"Officers went to the scene and arrested a 49-year-old man nearby on suspicion of criminal damage.
The tractor and spreader were abandoned outside the court
"The tractor and spreader were abandoned outside the court."
Dozens of street cleaners used shovels, leaf blowers and brushes to remove the mess and the tractor and low loader were towed away at 10am.
The muck was tested and it was found to be general dirt and not manure.
Witness Jane Terry, 41, a cleaner, said: "I heard quite a loud bang this morning and wondered what it was.
"I looked outside a bit later and saw the police and thought there had been an accident.
"Now I've walked out in the street and I can't believe it. It's a right mess. I'd love to know why they've done this."
Simon Taylor added: "If I was the street pride cleaners I'd be fuming. What a disgrace."
A 49-year-old was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing criminal damage
Andrew Reek said: "This is absolutely disgusting. What a total waste of time.
"It's vile and I feel really sorry for the cleaners who will have to clean it up. I can't
believe someone would do this."
Witnesses or anyone with information should call us on 101, quoting incident 139 of January 17.