Flintshire man filmed destroying village flowerbed pays for damages

A man accused of destroying a community flowerbed has agreed to pay money to a local church as a part of an out-of-court solution.

Wind turbine company director, Michael Hodgson, 55, was charged with causing £178 worth of criminal damage after wildflowers were ripped up less than a day after volunteers had planted them.

The incident, which was filmed and shared widely online, sparked anger in the village and led to a dispute over whether the planter had spread onto his property in Gwaenysgor, Flintshire.

At a court hearing, prosecutors confirmed they were content for the case to be settled without trial, with the judge adjourning proceedings for police to finalise the agreements.

Last year, Mr Hodgson said the planter had encroached on his property, had been installed without planning permission, and used materials that were “not environmentally friendly”.

At Mold Magistrates Court, Prosecutor Rhian Jackson said there had been correspondence between the prosecution and defence over the alleged criminal damage.

The planter is said to have belonged to Trelawnyd and Gwaenysgor community council.

She said the prosecution was content for the matter to be dealt with by a community resolution, although a police caution has not been issued.

She added that Mr Hodgson now lived out of the country, but still held an address at the village.

Defending Selina Woodard said: “The community resolution was to pay a sum of money to the local church. That was paid.

“The gentleman and his wife have been through an absolute nightmare.”

District Judge Gwyn Jones adjourned the case until next month for North Wales Police to communicate with Mr Hodgson about the outstanding aspects of the agreement.