A farmer was arrested for hogtying trespassers to his quad bike and driving them to the police station. However, he was also arrested.
A 52-year-old farmer is making headlines after he was arrested for hogtying two young men he accused of trespassing.
Two teenagers strapped in a farmer’s land
The incident took place on his farm in Lancashire, England.
On a Saturday night, two friends, aged 17 and 20, were riding an electric bike across the farmer’s land.
When they tried to leave, they discovered that the farmer had locked the gates.
This led to a confrontation that quickly escalated.
Farmer hogtied trespassers to quad bike and drove them to police station
According to the younger male, Leland Hornby, the situation became tense when the farmer approached them.
He claimed the farmer jumped off his quad bike and tackled them to the ground.
The farmer then tied their hands and feet, securing them to the bike.
“As we walked back the farmer came up behind us, jumped off his quad bike and tackled us to the ground,” Hornby told the newspaper.
Hornby expressed that he felt scared during the ordeal, and worried about what the farmer might do next.
“We couldn’t move. I was on the back of the quad bike and my friend at the front,” Hornby said.
The farmer then drove the two men about four miles to a nearby police station.
As he was racing through the streets, CCTV footage captured the unusual sight of the two young men tied to the front and back of the quad bike.
Hornby stated that they were not securely strapped down and they almost fell off a couple of times during the ride.
When they arrived at the police station, the roles reversed.
The farmer was arrested by the police for his action
Instead of the police questioning the young men, they arrested the farmer.
He was taken into custody on charges of false imprisonment and assault.
The young men, who were visibly shaken, were freed without charges.
Hornby’s mother spoke to the press, saying her son and his friend were terrified throughout the incident.
She said: “They were frightened to death. Absolutely terrified. The pair of them have nearly fallen off the quad bike.”
She was shocked by how the farmer reacted and questioned why he did not simply call the police instead of taking matters into his own hands.
The police were initially called to the farm by the farmer himself, who reported that he had detained two trespassers.
However, when officers arrived at the police station, they found the young men tied up and the farmer in a position of trouble.
“When officers went to meet the man, they found a teenager and a man in his 20s on a quad bike with their hands and feet tied,’ she said.
“They were not secured to the quad bike,” Hornby’s mother recounted.
This story has sparked a mix of reactions online.
While many people criticized the farmer’s actions, others praised him for taking a stand against trespassers.
Some social media users called it “vigilante justice” and supported the farmer for his bold move.
Comments on platforms like Facebook showed a divide in public opinion, with some users expressing admiration for the farmer’s actions.
Despite the legal issues he now faces, the farmer has gained a following of supporters who believe he was justified in his actions.
They argue that property owners should be able to protect their land.
However, legal experts warn that taking the law into one’s own hands can lead to serious consequences, as seen in this case.
He wants a medal. Just how they should be treated, one user said.
That is what I expect. Trespass is not justification for that response under the law.
Even so, I’m supporting the farmer. I hope the charges are dropped, the second user commented.