A JUDGE defended the Gazette & Herald's coverage of the trial of farmer Lance Beale who has been charged with 19 animal welfare offences after it was attacked by Beal's solicitor.

Barrister Jonathan Rich said the report of the trial in last week's Gazette on page seven contained inaccuracies. But after reading the story District Judge Brian Loosley disagreed.

The trial against Beale, of Wyatts Lake Farm, Westbrook, near Bromham, began on December 15 at Kennet Magistrates Court in Devizes.

The story in the Gazette reflected the prosecution case as outlined in the court by counsel Michael Forster.

Last Friday Mr Rich said two defence witnesses had indicated that they did not wish to give evidence in support of Beale.

Mr Rich said the witnesses' unwillingness was as a result of the Gazette's report of the trial. However, the judge said he would compel witnesses to attend if it was considered important.

Mr Rich went on to attack the Gazette's coverage of the trial in which his client denies all 19 charges, brought by Wiltshire trading standards department.

Mr Rich said: "There are a number of inaccuracies in the report. On the front page it says live sheep were piled on top of decomposing carcasses. It was one live sheep."

Referring to the main story on page seven Mr Rich said: "The report is erroneous and the slant is unfair."

In response Mr Forster said: "In my submission the report emanates from what has been heard by the reporter in court."

After reading the Gazette article Judge Loosley said: "I don't see any factual inaccuracies in it at all.

"Even if the front page article, by accident, may indicate more than one sheep, it's corrected inside in the main article. Apart from the one on the front page there are no inaccuracies."

The trial was listed for five days but could not be completed and will resume on March 22 at Devizes when the defence case will begin.

Beale denies eight charges of causing unnecessary suffering to sheep on November 20, 2000. He also denies seven charges, on January 17, 19 and 25 2001, of causing unnecessary suffering to sheep.

He has also pleaded not guilty to four charges of failing to dispose of sheep carcasses without undue delay.