A MAN has been convicted for causing substantial damage to crops on farmland near Thirsk.

Mark James Hughes, 33, of Eden Street, Horden, Durham, was ordered to pay £1,000 compensation and has had his vehicle taken off him when he was sentenced at Northallerton Magistrates Court on August 25.

On November 12, 2016, a Land Rover Discovery was driven on to a field at Topcliffe and then got stuck, buried into the mud to axle depth.

Hughes was seen nearby, and subsequently interviewed by officers.

The field was to be replanted, but because the vehicle had driven over it this was not possible due to the risk of contaminants.

At court on August 25, 2017, Hughes was found guilty of criminal damage. He was disqualified from driving for six months, had his vehicle confiscated, and was ordered to pay £1,000.

PC Arfan Rahouf, of North Yorkshire Police’s Rural Taskforce, said: “Hughes’ thoughtless and reckless actions caused substantial inconvenience and financial loss to a farm business. The vehicle was so badly stuck that even a tractor struggled to get it out.

“The compensation, driving ban, and loss of the vehicle will send a clear message that this behaviour is absolutely unacceptable to North Yorkshire’s rural communities, and police will deal with such incidents robustly.”