Photographer in court over foot and mouth cordon breach (From Surrey Comet)

Photographer in court over foot and mouth cordon breach

9:01am Friday 10th August 2007

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A freelance photographer from Kingston is due in court today for allegedly entering the foot and mouth exclusion zone in Surrey.

Philip Hollis, 44, from Kingston, and another snapper, James Purkiss, 37, from Swindon, were arrested on Saturday.

Police say they were arrested, disinfected and had potentially contaminated equipment seized after they allegedly breached a cordon in the 3km zone around the first infected farm, near Wanborough.

The men have been charged under Section 27 of the Animal Health Act and face prosecution by Surrey Trading Standards.

They are due to appear at South West Surrey Magistrates' Court in Guildford later today.

Cattle have been culled at two farms where foot-and-mouth has been confirmed, and at a third farm where the disease is suspected.

A temporary exclusion zone has also been set up at a farm near Dorking after an assessment of symptoms spotted in the cattle proved inconclusive. Tests have been taken and officials are awaiting the results.

Assistant Chief Constable Mark Rowley of Surrey Police said: "These restrictions are in place to protect contaminated sites and prevent the possible spread of the disease.

"We will not hesitate to arrest anyone who enters these sites," he added.

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