Pigs take back-seat ride

A COURT was yesterday given the answer to the question of how many pigs can fit in the back of a Fiat 127. Thirsk magistrates in North Yorkshire, were told that two men crammed 17 pigs into the car when they found the animals wandering in a country lane near Ripon.

David Tucker, for the prosecution, said Keith Appleton and Sean Webster planned to release the pigs in Ripon town centre, but had second thoughts and took them to Webster's house, but his wife refused to allow the animals in.

In desperation, the unemployed farmhands dumped the pigs in a barn. When interviewed by police the men denied involvement and claimed to have been drinking all day.

Yesterday Appleton, 24, and Webster, 27, both from Ripon, admitted stealing the pigs. They were ordered to do 150 hours community service and pay pounds 40 costs.