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Furious farmer who put up 15ft sign berating neighbours is dragged to court for refusing to take it down

2021-06-25 00:00:00.0 太阳报-英国新闻原网页

A FURIOUS farmer who put up a huge sign slagging off his village has been summoned to court after defying orders to remove it.

Carl Powell, 75, posted the billboard describing Peopleton in Worcestershire as a "murderous, lawless and godforsaken place".

Fuming Carl Powell put up the sign after villagers contested plans for his farm Credit: Roland Leon 4

The 75-year-old was handed a ￡90 fine by cops but refused to cough up Credit: Roland Leon

As revealed exclusively by The Sun in March, he was handed a ￡90 fine by cops but refused to pay up.

Now Carl has been ordered to appear before JPs after refusing to take down the notice - which sits 15ft high on an old grain dryer.

West Mercia Police have charged him with a public order offence - claiming he has caused "harassment, alarm or distress".

Carl, who put up the sign after locals objected to plans for a new track on his 100-acre farm, said: "They can drag me to court but I will fight my corner.

"I will plead not guilty. I won't remove the sign unless I'm forced to - it's fair speech.

"We're not living in Nazi Germany. I've done absolutely nothing wrong."It's like being in a police state."

Carl says he won't remove the sign unless he's forced to Credit: The Sun 4

Visitors to Peopleton would normally be greeted by this more traditional sign

Carl has been ordered to attend a police station for his fingerprints and DNA to be taken ahead of his July 1 court date - but has refused to attend.

He faces being detained by police if he does not comply.

Carl said: "If they want my fingerprints, they can come and get them."Why do they need my DNA - they know who I am?"

The large sign reads: "Welcome to Peopleton, a murderous, lawless, godforsaken place, probably, most definitely, the nastiest village in Worcestershire."

Carl says the sign has became a local attractions - with passers-by stopping off to get pictures.

He has added another notice after appearing on Channel 5's Jeremy Vine Show.

It reads: "A brilliant interviewer but a lousy dancer".

He plans to wear another outside Worcester magistrates' court next month: "West Mercia Police - Truth is now a crime. Get arrested. DNA fingerprints taken."