ASPIRING farmer Frazer Grave's dream of owning a New England farm soured after COVID, a court has heard.

The 30-year-old moved from Mosman to Guyra just before COVID, solicitor Nicholas Forrest told Armidale Local Court on Monday, October 20.

Grave bought a 48-hectare property on the New England Highway and hoped to run sheep and chickens as well as grow potatoes, Mr Forrest said.

"Unfortunately, the work was much harder than Grave anticipated," Mr Forrest said.

He also felt isolated from his family and supports during the COVID lockdowns in 2020.

In September last year, Grave's bucolic dream soured when he was pulled over by police while driving his ute in Bradley Street, Guyra.

In a statement tendered to court, police claimed Grave had been pulled over about 9.30am on Tuesday, Sept

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