The true cost of the failed legal action against Great Orme farmer Dan Jones has been revealed.
A response to a Freedom of Information request by North Wales Live disclosed that more than £19,000 of local taxpayers' cash had been spent on trying to prosecute the so-called '£1 farmer', who was granted the tenancy of the Great Orme holding for a nominal fee.
Mr Jones was brought to the brink of financial ruin defending himself against the action by Conwy council, having to borrow up to £50,000 to fight has case.
The prosecution collapsed midway through, when the charges were dropped.
Mr Jones had always denied failing to dispose of three sheep carcasses, failing to keep a register of animal movements and nine offences of failing to notify the authorities of animals he had received between 2016, when he took over the tenancy, and 2018.
The District Judge made a defendant’s costs order allowing the Mr Jones to claim his costs from Court Central Funds, which pay all 'legitimate and reasonable' costs.
Anything above and beyond that would be a matter for a solicitor and their client.
The council was not ordered to pay Mr Jones' costs.
The 41-year-old, who has been farming the Great Orme since 2016, had to borrow £50,000 from his family to fund his legal defence and was also forced to sell 300 of his sheep and some of his farm machinery.
Mr Jones said: "I've heard quite a few figures about how much the court case has cost. Whatever it cost was a total waste of money.
"I just feel let down by my own local authority."
He continued: "But I do feel better now that the dust has settled.
"What has really helped is the fundraising that has been going on to help pay my legal fees, I think over £2,000 has been raised.
"But it's not really the money, it's the kindness of people that has touched me.
"People may have only donated £5, but I think that's amazing that they want to do that to help me, and I'd like to thank everyone in Llandudno from the bottom of my heart."
In the wake of the failed case, Conwy council chief executive Iwan Davies said: "I am convinced that Conwy’s officers went about their jobs diligently and, having taken legal advice, concluded that prosecutions were warranted.”
He added : “Had Mr Jones’ explanations been forthcoming at an earlier stage then it is possible that proceedings would have ended sooner, or, indeed not been started.”
But Mr Jones' lawyers, who blasted the prosecution as a "malicious witch hunt" said they had co-operated fully with the council, and without any obligation to do so had given the council all 22 defence statements in the hope of averting a trial.
