Police found no crime in fatal cow attack probe

A farmer whose cows killed a retired teacher in a prolonged attack was investigated by police but was not charged with manslaughter, an inquest has heard.

Malcolm Flynn, 72, from Carlisle, was walking a section of Hadrian's Wall near Gilsland, Northumberland, with a friend when they came across 18 cows, their calves and a bull.

Mr Flynn was knocked to the ground then trampled and kicked in the head by the Limousin cows.

A Northumbria Police detective told the inquest the force had considered corporate manslaughter or gross negligence manslaughter charges but lacked the appropriate evidence.

In September 2019, 12 months before Mr Flynn's death, two walkers were attacked on the same farm which led to enforcement action from the Health and Safety Executive.

Owner Robert Scott then put up signs warning walkers of the cattle but said he was not allowed to fence off the path as it could disturb the ancient wall.

Det Insp Barry McAtominey said the force had found "insufficient evidence to charge any one person or body in connection with the death of Mr Flynn".

Mr Scott told the inquest's jury he had reduced his herd from 80 to 55 since Mr Flynn's death and no longer keeps cattle in fields where there is a public right of way, unless the paths are fenced off.

He said he was dry-stone walling when he was told about the attack over the phone and drove to the scene on a buggy.

Mr Scott said there was a perception that Limousin cattle "may be a little bit more highly strung" than other breeds but he had never found it to be the case.

"When we had the Galloway cows, they were no different," he said.

Mr Flynn was a father of two and a member of the Ramblers' Association. He regularly walked with his friend Christopher Barkless.

The inquest is expected to last all week.

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