Subscribe to trusted local news
If you are accessing this story via Facebook but you are a subscriber then you will be unable to access the story. Facebook wants you to stay and read in the app and your login details are not shared with Facebook. If you experience problems with accessing the news but have subscribed, please contact subscriptions@thestrayferret.co.uk. In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever. By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.
- Subscription costs less than £1 a week with an annual plan.
Already a subscriber? Log in here.
20
Jun
Man sentenced after vandalising Fountains Abbey with graffiti
A man has been sentenced after vandalising Fountains Abbey by painting graffiti onto the abbey ruins and nearby St Mary’s Church.
Michael Relton, 45, appeared before Harrogate Magistrates Court on Friday (June 19), 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 at a previous hearing. He appeared for sentencing on Friday.
Anthony Farrell, prosecuting, told the court that the abbey and St Mary’s Church, which is inside the Studley Royal deer park, were defaced with graffiti on February 16 last year.
Mr Farrell said “f*ck the police” and “don’t steal drugs” were painted onto the abbey and church.
The damage cost £6,900 to clear up, the court heard.
The prosecution said Relton was spotted on CCTV wandering around the grounds at the time of the offence.
Mr Farrell said:
He [Relton] is found wandering around on CCTV. His father makes contact with police because he is concerned about his welfare. He is then arrested.
Mr Farrell told the court that Relton made an admission to police during interview.
The prosecutor said:
He tells police: ‘I just want people to know that this is nothing to do with the abbey. I do not want people to think this is a religious hate crime.’
Brian Nuttney, defending, told the court that Relton had pleaded guilty to the offences at the first opportunity.
Mr Nuttney said the offences were “borne out largely from mental health issues”.
He said
He did admit that he committed these offences and he is remorseful for what happened. He expressed his remorse to the officer. He regrets the fact that he caused the damage.
Mr Nuttney added that Relton was homeless around the time of the offence.
He said:
He was struggling very badly with his mental health. He was homeless at the time and the council had determined that he made himself intentionally homeless. He acted badly as a consequence.
The defence added that Relton was “in a better state now”.
Magistrates sentenced Relton to a 12-month community order, which included 25 rehabilitation activity days.
He was also ordered to pay £500 in compensation to the National Trust.
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.
2