A MAN at the centre of long-running dispute over a family farm has been found guilty of stealing electricity while living on the site.

Paul Shepherd’s claims that he was set up as part of a campaign to get him out of West Musgrave Farm in St Helen Auckland, near Bishop Auckland, were dismissed by magistrates.

The 58-year-old had denied extracting or using mains electricity to the value of £443 without lawful authority between June 28, 2012 and February 23, 2013.

Katherine Hannah, prosecuting, said that a magistrates’ search warrant was executed on the 64-acre holding following reports of lights being used in the burnt-out farmhouse.

She said the power had been disconnected at the farm and no legal steps were taken to reconnect the farmhouse, which was demolished last September.

Shepherd, a former director of Albert Hill Skip Hire in Darlington, said he had been framed, claiming it was one of many “bullying tactics” to get him off the farm.

He said he used a large generator to power the washing machine, a small portable generator for small electric items and a torch to light the house.

Shepherd, of Hackworth Industrial Estate, Shildon, added: “I had a wood burning stove in the house which provided enough for me and I used a gas cooker.”

His brother, Raymond Anthony Shepherd, supported his account.

However, footage from a police body camera showed an electric bathroom light switched on when officers searched the farm.

PC Robert Simpson said an electric kitchen hob ring and oven clock were also on.

An electricity box had also been removed from an outbuilding wall and wires connected to the farmhouse.

“There were no other sources of electricity I could see,” he said. “Mr Shepherd wasn’t present. He arrived later but drove off without stopping.”

West Musgrave Farm is owned by Christopher Shepherd and Joanne Long but the siblings’ attempts to gain possession of it were disputed by their brother, Paul.

Paul Shepherd told a civil court he was granted a 40 year tenancy by Christopher in January 2001 but his claim was rejected by the judge last summer.

Christopher Shepherd later alleged that Paul forged the tenancy agreement but these criminal proceedings were dropped last December owing to no evidence.

Magistrates in Newton Aycliffe found Paul Shepherd guilty of electricity theft and ordered him to repay the amount owed to Npower.