The revelations of all the charges against Ewen Macdonald indicate an extensive habit of offending against fellow farmers.

Federated Farmers Manawatu-Rangitikei provincial president Andrew Hoggard said: “We genuinely thought crimes like this were committed by some low-life toe-rag who’d never worked a decent day in their life.

“It is a real shock to discover Macdonald has admitted to what are acts of sabotage.”

I guess it depends on whether you exclude an award winning and  seemingly respectable farmer from being a ‘low life”.

Farming communities are often very close knit and supportive, a sort of rural extended family. I grew up in a rural community. When one of your own offends, especially on this sort of scale, it can be very disturbing and sobering.

It looks like Macdonald will get some more prison time, but after he’s rel;eased it will be difficult for him to be accepted into any rural community, especially in the Manawatu-Rangitikei area.

From NZH: Macdonald’s secret ‘revenge missions’