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Carl Powell, 75, was handed a £90 fine and hauled to court to face a public order offence after residents of Peopleton, Worcestershire, complained about Mr Powell’s explosive billboards slating their beloved town.

On one board, he described the small village as a “murderous, lawless, godforsaken place” and said it was “most definitely the nastiest in Worcestershire”.

Another billboard contained reference to field gates being taken off their hinges in 2018 to “let stock onto the highway”. 

Mr Powell erected the signs after a local planning row.

Now, after a lengthy fight and a delayed trial, charges against Mr Powell of Stone Arrow Farm, have been dropped.

After his first court appearance in July, Mr Powell arrived at Worcester Magistrates Court brandishing the signs before being stopped by security.

During his court appearance, Mr Powell, who chose to represent himself, said he was exercising his “right to freedom of speech”.

In his defence, Powell added that his sign is “true and factual – and I can prove it that”.

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Mr Powell was due to appear in court again in August, but due to the officer being on annual leave, a new provisional date was set for October 15.

Mr Powell said: “I have just received a letter from the courts saying the case is being discontinued due to a lack of evidence.

“It seems like there has finally been a bit of common sense applied, so I am very relieved.”

However, between August and now, Mr Powell received a letter informing him of an unpaid fine.

An enforcement officer then arrived at his farm with a notice to repossess some of his possessions to pay the fine.

West Mercia Police have since confirmed that the enforcement action against Mr Powell had been taken by mistake.

Since cancelling the enforcement action, a spokesperson for West Mercia Police said: “The officer involved has confirmed he spoke with Mr Powell, discovered an admin error with the debt collector and the non-payment was deleted.”

Mr Powell added: “The whole affair with the enforcement officer caused me a bit of aggravation.

“I might decide to appeal against that for compensation. I think I will wait a bit though to give it a think.”

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