A FARMER’S brandishing of a shotgun in front of two dog walkers was no different to “using a shovel for gardening”, his barrister claimed.

Timothy Hook was sentenced at Oxford Crown Court for a common assault on dog-walker Gary Somerville.

Nigel Fryer, defending, said his client had not intended to scare Mr Somerville and his partner Mr Cripps when he produced the weapon.

He said: “The reality here is that whilst a shotgun was involved on a limited basis, to those who are not involved in the farming community and to someone who has no knowledge of guns the production of such a weapon can seem threatening and frightening, but of course for Mr Hook, being a farmer, it’s a tool of his trade — no more, no less.

“It’s the same as getting a shovel out.”

Mr Somerville and Mr Cripps were walking their two West Highland terriers and one red setter on land owned by the GJ Hook and Son dairy farm in Cote, near Bampton, on May 18.

The court was told the route was often used by the pair, who mistakenly thought it was a public right of way.

Prosecutor Jonathan Stone said 30-year-old Hook pulled over in a Land Rover and shouted: “What the **** are you doing on my land?”

Mr Stone said Mr Somerville apologised and told the farmer they would leave, but Hook said: “If I catch you on my land again I will take you and your dogs out” before removing a shotgun in its case from the vehicle.

Hook, whose barrister described the incident as a “clash of cultures”, denied using a firearm with intent to cause fear but admitted a lesser charge of common assault. He was given a 12-month conditional discharge with £475 costs.