AN ISLAND crofting couple who faced a long court battle after two rivals bulls clashed in a fight for territory have successfully defended their case at Stornoway Sheriff Court.

David Hargreaves and his wife Janine, formerly of Kirkibost, Great Bernera, Lewis, were being pursued for £20,000 worth of damages by their former neighbours Kathleen and Bernard Allen.

The Allens claimed that a poorly-maintained boundary fence was the responsibility of the Hargreaves, whose Belted Galloway bull 'Ozzy' was repeatedly encroaching on their land, threatening the high-health status of their Highland herd. The Allens argued in court that they were forced to erect an eight-foot-high deer fence to keep him out.

At one stage Ozzy and 'Calum Ruadh' – a Highland bull the Allens had on hire – became involved in a clash which left Ozzy bleeding from a wound after being gouged by one of Calum Ruadh’s horns.

Mrs Allen’s also told the court that she was upset that Ozzy had left her with a Belted Galloway cross calf, compromising the pedigree standing of her own herd.

The compensation claim also included the cost of the extra feed required by the Allens when they were forced to pen their cows to keep them away from Ozzy and the cost involved in transporting them to other crofts.

In his ruling, Sheriff David Sutherland said that 'while the case was one of damages for damage caused by a bull on the pursuers’ property, the real nature of the claim was a neighbour dispute'.

In reference to Mrs Allen’s evidence in court, he said: “I felt her evidence was not as credible or reliable as I would have wished and while I have no doubt that she was extremely distressed by the whole situation, this does not excuse coming to court and presenting a case which is, at best, exaggerated and unreliable.”

Sheriff Sutherland drew on a previous ruling by the Scottish Land Court which had deemed that the Allens were responsible for the disputed boundary fence.

“I accept the evidence of Mr and Mrs Hargreaves that while their cattle did go onto the crofts belonging to the pursuers, nonetheless that was only because of the state of repair of the fence which Mr Allen was responsible for,” he said.

Sheriff Sutherland said he found 'the defenders totally credible and therefore will grant decree of absolvitor with expenses as taxed'.

Mrs Allen said she has still to consider whether to appeal the ruling.

The Hargreaves now live in Ardgay, Sutherland and did not wish to make any comment at this stage.