And finally… Victorian cow law catches drunk buggy driver

Paul Crawford, 27, an events manager, used renowned solicitor Nick “Loophole” Freeman as his defence but was caught by the old law intended to stop people drinking while in charge of a horse or cow.

Mr Crawford was pulled over by police while riding across a quiet field en route to the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

He was heading back to the tent after a party when he was breathalysed and was found to be above the legal limit.

Mr Crawford then hired Nick Freeman, aka Mr Loophole, as his defence.

Mr Freeman, who has previously represented Alex Ferguson as well as Ronnie O’Sullivan, said drink driving could not stand as the buggy could not be deemed suitable for the road because it lacked a seatbelt, indicators, and a horn etc.

The Crown Prosecution Service changed the charge to that of driving whilst unfit which deals with any “mechanically propelled vehicle”.

Mr Crawford agreed with the CPS to plead guilty to a “carriage law” – section 12 of the Licensing Act 1872, created to crack down on errant cow, horse and steam engine users.

Mr Crawford was fined £270. After the case, Mr Freeman said:”This prosecution was a terrible waste of time and trouble.

“It epitomises the police’s view that motorists are fair game and a cash cow whilst so many serious offences are being decriminalised.

“When will a little intelligence and common sense be reintroduced back to the PC society?

“Mr Crawford was arrested by three police officers, one of them a sergeant, and none of them appeared to be aware of the law, that a golf buggy is not a motor vehicle that could be used on the road.

“This case smacks of desperation, that the CPS knew they could not prosecute so instead they bring out an ancient law as an alternative to a defective drink drive charge that is clearly not designed to deal with this type of incident.

“Ultimately it was a waste of tax payers money. They made a mistake and they should have said sorry and called it a day.”