"Sorry m'lud, but I didn't want to stampede the cows"

Via Harry Haddock, this cautionary tale:

A firefighter today denied causing death by dangerous driving. Julian Lawford, 49, from Glastonbury, Somerset, appeared at Exeter Crown Court in connection with the death of 75-year-old Harold Lee.

It is alleged that Mr Lawford had failed to turn on the siren on his fire engine while en route to an emergency. Mr Lee was struck and killed while crossing a road on August 11 2009 near his farm at Burtle, near Bridgwater.

Lawford today denied one count of causing death by dangerous driving and the case was adjourned to a date to be fixed for trial. Lawford was further remanded on bail.

Speaking outside the court, Mr Lawford's solicitor explained that his client had carried out a full risk assessment and taken the decision not to turn on his siren because he did not want to cause any cows in the vicinity to stampede.