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19
Jan
Man admits vandalising Fountains Abbey with graffiti
A man has admitted vandalising Fountains Abbey by painting graffiti onto the abbey and St Mary’s Church.
Michael Relton, 44, appeared before Harrogate Magistrates Court on Thursday (January 15), where he spoke to confirm his name, address and date of birth.
Relton, of Alma Gardens in Ripon, admitted two charges of damaging a protected monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979.
Graffiti was painted on the abbey and St Mary’s Church, which is inside the Studley Royal deer park, on the evening of February 16 last year.
Sarah Tyrer, prosecuting, told the court that the graffiti cost £7,000 to clean up.
The National Trust site near Ripon attracts more than 400,000 visitors a year and is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
At the time, a spokesperson for the trust told the Stray Ferret that the graffiti was the worst case of vandalism it had ever seen at Fountains Abbey.
Magistrates adjourned the case for a pre-sentence report to be prepared.
Relton will appear at Harrogate Magistrates Court for sentencing on April 10 this year.
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