Farming company will face trial after primary school teacher, 61, was trampled to death by a cow

• Marian Clode was staying at a holiday cottage at Swinhoe Farm when she died
• The 61-year-old was killed on a public bridle path when 15 cows charged nearby 
• J M Nixon & Son were charged with a health and safety offence as a result 
• The farming company will go on trial on November 27 next year, a judge has said  

A farming company faces a trial next year after a primary school teacher was trampled to death by a cow while walking along a public bridle path.

Marian Clode, 61, had been staying at a holiday cottage at Swinhoe Farm, near Belford, Northumberland, when she was suddenly killed during the Easter holidays on April 3 2016.

This morning J M Nixon & Son, which is based at Swinhoe Farm, was charged with a health and safety offence in relation to the incident.

Marian Clode, 61, (pictured) had been staying at Swinhoe Farm in Northumberland with her family when she died after a cow charged at her while she was walking on a public bridleway 

During a hearing at Newcastle Crown Court Alistair Nixon, representing the partnership, pleaded not guilty to charge of failing to ensure the health and safety of persons other than employees. 

The charge relates to the partnership failing to ensure that people, who were not in their employment, were not exposed to risks to their health and safety from the movement of cattle.

A trial, which could last around eight days, has now been listed to start next November. Judge Paul Sloan KC said: ‘I am adjourning the matter for trial and as you have heard the trial is listed on November 27 next year. 

Owners of the animals, J M Nixon & Son, which is based at Swinhoe Farm, were charged with a health and safety offence in relation to the incident. The farming company will now face a trial next year

During a hearing at Newcastle Crown Court Alistair Nixon, representing the partnership, pleaded not guilty to charge of failing to ensure the health and safety of persons other than employees

‘There will be a further pre-trial hearing before that date.’

An inquest into Mrs Clode’s death heard how they had been walking on the path when 15 cows and their calves surged from a holding pen.  

Mrs Clode, who was born in Derry but lived in Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, died as a result of her injuries.  

The inquest, held in October 2020, heard how Mrs Clode died from a cardiac arrest and brain and severe spinal injuries.

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