A farmer who erected a sign calling a small village a ‘lawless and godforsaken place’ will no longer face charges after police dropped the case.

Carl Powell, 75, was embroiled in a planning row when he decided to put up the sign on his farm criticising the village of Peopleton, a place he said was the ‘nastiest’ in Worcestershire.

Residents complained and Mr Powell was hit with a £90 fine, which he refused to pay. He was then given a court date, accused of a public order offence.

At his first appearance over the summer, Mr Powell – who represented himself – arrived brandishing the signs and said his defence was the sign is ‘true and factual – and I can prove it that.’

Just before he was due in court again this month, Mr Powell has received a letter saying the case had been discontinued because of a lack of evidence.

He said: ‘It seems like there has finally been a bit of common sense applied, so I am very relieved.’

It brings an end to a long-running saga which began in February when the farmer put up the signs 15ft in the air, attached to an old grain dryer.

He was moved to take action when villagers objected to his plans for a new track on the farm – the second time he’d had plans to build rejected.

The sign stated: ‘Welcome to Peopleton. A murderous, lawless, godforsaken place. Probably, most definitely, the nastiest village in Worcestershire.’

Later the original sign was joined by others including one that said ‘truth is now a crime.’

Another referenced an appearance on the Jeremy Vine show, adding that the host was a ‘brilliant interviewer but a lousy dancer.’

Mr Powell was accused of causing ‘harassment, alarm or distress’ but he said he was exercising his right to freedom of speech.’

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