Farmer ordered to pay £3,000 after allowing grandson to ride in his tractor

A farmer has been fined more than £3,000 after he broke the law when he allowed his grandson to ride on a tractor with him. William Walters was given a warning but was caught doing it again after his grandson fell from a horse.

The 78-year-old, from Tirmynydd Farm, Swansea, was the subject of a complaint made by a neighbour who raised concerns about the defendant operating a tractor with his grandchildren on board. The neighbour expressed concerns about Walters' grandson riding in the front of the vehicle.

A sentencing hearing at Swansea Crown Court on Tuesday, August 27, heard it is an offence under the Health and Safety Act to allow a child under the age of 13 to ride in a tractor. In November 2020, staff from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) attended Mr Walters farm to speak to him and he accepted allowing his grandchildren to ride in agricultural vehicles. A probation notice was served preventing him from carrying anyone under the age of 13 in a tractor, reports Wales Online.

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However, in 2021, a further call was made by the neighbour to the HSE reporting the defendant continued to allow his grandson to ride in the tractor. He also provided a photograph and short video of Walters' grandson in the tractor cab as his grandfather used the vehicle to feed cattle.

A subsequent probe was carried out by the HSE and in November 2021, the defendant's daughter provided a written submission to say her son was on a horse which became skittish and resulted in him falling off. She said Mr Walters had taken her son back to the farm in the tractor so he wouldn't have to walk.

The grandfather later pleaded guilty to one offence contrary to the Health and Safety Act. The court heard he was in breach of a suspended prison sentence of 12 months for an environmental offence in 2019 which involved the depositing of controlled waste for financial gain.

In mitigation, Harry Dickens said Mr Walters has outstanding funds to pay to the court in respect of his previous convictions and is involved in a county court dispute. He continued, saying the defendant was remorseful but felt his actions were necessary after his grandson had injured himself.

Sentencing, Recorder Jonathan Rees KC said: "A child might interfere with machinery controls or distract the driver. This was a flagrant disregard for the law."

Mr Walters was sentenced to a 12 month community order and was made subject to a 25 day rehabilitation activity requirement, and was also ordered to pay £3,000 in court costs and a £500 fine.

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