Off-roader banned from protected Welsh site

A man has been banned from entering a protected area of Welsh countryside for three years after being convicted of causing serious damage to a site of special scientific interest (SSSI).

Joseph Hodgson, 23, from Acheson Road, Liverpool, was one of three men convicted over damage caused to the Berwyn SSSI in Denbighshire on 1 June 2025.

He was given a criminal behaviour order at Wrexham Magistrates’ Court and ordered to pay more than £2,000 in compensation and costs.

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The court heard that seven 4×4 vehicles travelled together to the protected site and drove more than 3km across privately owned land towards Moel Fferna, leaving deep tyre tracks and damaging peat and blanket bog habitats.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW), which brought the case, said the damage was “obvious and avoidable” given the size of the vehicles and the fragility of the habitat.

Hodgson failed to attend an earlier court hearing, but was later found guilty of criminal damage in his absence on the basis of joint enterprise.

During the investigation, he did not cooperate with NRW or attend an interview. He claimed he had sold his vehicle, but investigators later linked him to TikTok footage showing him driving at the protected site.

The footage also showed two vehicles, including one belonging to Hodgson, becoming stuck in the bog before being towed out, causing further damage.

Hodgson was ordered to pay £1,000 compensation for damage to the SSSI, £1,000 in costs, £50 for criminal damage and a further £30 compensation.

Countryside protection

NRW said the offences were particularly serious because they were committed while Hodgson was already subject to a community order for similar countryside offences.

Kirsty Roberts, speaking on behalf of NRW, said blanket bog was particularly sensitive to damage, with deep ruts potentially altering its water balance for years and reducing carbon storage.

She urged people to follow signs and lawful routes when using the countryside.