THE boss of an animal protection group has expressed her disappointment that a teenage farmworker who physically and verbally abused cows and newborn calves has avoided jail.

Owen Nichol was filmed during a covert Animal Equality operation kicking calves to make them stand up; twisting cows' tails and slamming metal gates into them; pinning calves to the floor and swearing at them; kicking and slapping nursing cows; violently throwing calves to the floor.

Nichol, 18, of Buckland Road, Taunton, was sentenced to 12 weeks' detention suspended for a year, along with a rehabilitation order and 150 hours unpaid work in the community, while he was ordered to pay a £115 victim surcharge and £300 towards prosecution costs.

He was also banned from owning or keeping farm livestock for two years.

Taunton magistrates imposed the sentence today (Wednesday) after he had pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to causing unnecessary suffering to one or more cows by kicking or hitting them and to causing unnecessary suffering to one of more calves by throwing them to the floor, and kicking and stamping on them.

Following sentencing, Toni Shepard, UK director of Animal Equality, which launched its investigation at Pyrland Farm, Taunton, following a tip off from a neighbour, said: "We are extremely disappointed that this dairy farm worker has not been sent to prison for the disgusting attacks on vulnerable cows and calves revealed by our investigation.

"This sentence is wholly inadequate punishment for these disturbing acts of cruelty."

She added: "This case highlights the dangerous lack of oversight and complete absence of independent, unannounced inspections which leave all farmed animal at risk of abuse and suffering.

"Without our investigation, this worker would still be beating those poor animal today."

Earlier, Lindi Meyer, for the RSPCA showed the court a video of Nichol's attacks on the animals at Pyrland Farm, which has been absolved of any blame.

She said an expert vet had described the teenager's actions as "the worst example of abusive behaviour I have seen in 35 years" and it should never be tolerated.

Nichol, who had impressed his boss so much he had been promoted onto an apprenticeship before the incident, was sacked shortly after the video came to light.

Martin Winter, defending, said Nichol had shown remorse for the "one-off incident" and was "absolutely disgusted with himself".

Mr Winter said his client had "flipped" as he was stressed out by a series of events, including splitting with his girlfriend, his gran's illness, a health problem of his own and working long hours.

He added: "On the day, he wasn't handling the cows and calves particularly well and therefore lost control of them.

"The cows backed into him which caused him to become more frustrated. He lost control and lashed out, exacerbating the situation."

Nichol has not worked since the attacks came to light in December but has been offered work on an arable farm in Hampshire.

Outside court, RSPCA Inspector John Pollock said: "It's a fair result, but we do feel there should be a lifetime ban for all offences of animal cruelty and neglect brought before the magistrates.

"We do hope this acts as a deterrent."