A POLICE sergeant involved in the arrest of protestors at a foot-and-mouth burial site yesterday accepted part of his evidence to magistrates was not accurate - after being confronted with a video.

Sergeant Peter Foster, who had pulled John Rowley from under a lorry carrying carcasses to the Inkerman site, near Tow Law, County Durham, was giving evidence at the trial of six women charged with failing to leave land as directed.

Sgt Foster said that as he led Mr Rowley away he was mobbed by protestors. Two women - Katrina and Lisa Rowley - had pulled his arms to try to free their father, he said.

He said he then had to pull them out of the way when they blocked his path as tried to put Mr Rowley in a police van.

Kevin Tomlinson, defending, told Sgt Foster: "You were not, as you say, thumped five or six times on the back, there was one slap and that was all. And there were no women having to be pulled away. You had to pull two women out of the van after you got Mr Rowley in."

He then produced a video recording which bore this out.

Sgt Foster said he had given what was his perception of a difficult situation and added: "In hindsight, and viewing the video, your account would be accurate."

Tow Law residents Fiona Nichol, 48, of Helme Park Terrace, Norma Dellavolta, 57, of Coronation Avenue, Christine Suddes, 38, of Railway Street, and Lisa Rowley, 22, of Weardale Crescent, as well as Katrina Rowley, 25, of Crook, and Emma Nichol, 26, of Cheltenham deny failing to leave land as directed.

Lisa Rowley and Katrina deny a further obstruction charge, and Katrina denies assault.

The case will move from Consett to Chester-le-Street Magistrates' Court today