THE president of the National Gipsy Council Hughie Smith has been banned by a court from going on to a travellers' site he manages.
Mr Smith, 73, and his nephew, Charlie Smith, 36, appeared before Harrogate magistrates yesterday following a series of incidents at Thistle Hill Caravan Camp, Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, on December 21.
Mr Smith is leaseholder of the site, with responsibility for looking after 20 families.
He denied making threats to destroy property belonging to Peter and James Varey, while his nephew denied a charge of assault on James Varey.
The pair, who both live at the Harrogate district's other gipsy camp, at Springs Lane, Bickerton, near Wetherby, were bailed to return to court on January 16.
Magistrates upheld a bail condition which bars both from the Thistle Hill site. They were also ordered not to contact the Vareys or other witnesses.
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