North Yorkshire farmers admit fault over cattle trampling death

An inquest previously heard Mr Clark, the deputy head of Richmond School and a former Scotland Under-21 rugby player, was attacked while walking his two dogs.

He was crushed by cows suckling calves with a jury concluding his death was accidental.

Brothers David Turnbull, 60, and Andrew Turnbull, 57, were then prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive and a two-week trial was due to be held in March.

But at a hearing on Friday, prosecutors said a basis of plea offered by the farmers was acceptable and they would now admit a different offence, based around not putting up enough warning signs advising walkers to take a different route.

Both pleaded guilty to failing to ensure the health and safety of persons other than employees while operating a farm.

Judge Jonathan Carroll said it was “absolutely shocking” the case had taken four years to conclude, and told the prosecution and defence barristers: “It should have been resolved years ago.”