Rival guilty of bid to spike Bulmers

The director of a rival brewery plotted to contaminate the production line of HP Bulmer, the cider maker, a court heard yesterday.

Michael Hancocks was described as the "instigator and prime mover" in the plan to pour contaminants into the products of Bulmer, whose brands include Woodpecker and Strongbow.

Mr Hancocks' company, Birmingham-based Aston Manor Brewery, which makes Frosty Jack cider, was in direct competition with Bulmer. A judge at Bristol Crown Court heard how Mr Hancocks, 63, had considerable ill-feeling towards Bulmer.

Prosecutor Victor Temple QC said: "The Crown say that the extent of this animosity went far beyond that to be expected and generated as a result of healthy competition between two companies."

Mr Hancocks pleaded guilty at a previous hearing to conspiracy to defraud Hereford-based Bulmer by introducing yeast-based contaminants into their products between 31 August, 2001 and 5 April, 2002.

Before adjourning sentencing while a medical report on Mr Hancocks is prepared, the judge heard the prosecution case was that he wanted to cause Bulmer's economic and commercial disadvantage, which would help his company.

Mr Hancocks was a major investor in Aston Manor and Mr Temple said at the time profits were falling and job losses were feared. In an effort to produce yeasts that could spoil Bulmer's products, Mr Hancocks hired the chemist and former Aston Manor employee Richard Gay.

He also used his daughter's partner, Paul Harris, to transport the material and recruit a Bulmer employee with access to the production line. Mr Harris thought he had found his man in forklift driver Russell Jordan, who was promised £16,000 for putting contaminants in the line. But Mr Jordan revealed the plot to Bulmer and police, and was instructed to keep meeting Mr Harris while observation was carried out.

Mr Hancocks, Mr Harris and Mr Gay, who all pleaded guilty, are expected to be sentenced on 1 May.