The Court of Appeal in London met today to give its decision on the appeal by Harry Sissen against the judgement and sentence given at Newcastle Crown Court. in April. The three appeal court judges upheld the decision of the Crown Court, but reduced the sentence to 18 months. Leave of appeal to the House of Lords (the British upper chamber) was refused. A decision on what happens to the livestock confiscated will have to wait until all avenues of appeal have been exhausted. As this is now a landmark case because of the grounds of the appeal, the website will endeavour to obtain and publish today’s ruling by the Appeal Court.