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Priddy Circles damage |
Runemage
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|  Posted 28-08-2011 at 16:50
Obviously there are the pending legal issues
That's why no-one's saying much Mike. It's not because of lack of opinions, but the desire not to prejudice any legal proceedings that may be brought. Maybe there won't be any, no-one yet knows. Right now all that's public knowledge is someone or someones caused damage to an ancient monument at some time in the recent past for reasons unknown.
Whilst it's of great importance to us, ['us' being everyone interested in ancient sites,] a lump in a field isn't of much concern to the majority of the population.
If it does culminate in a court case, the time for public awareness is maybe better afterwards, where the facts can be cited and justice will hopefully have been seen to be done.
Rune
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TheCaptain
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| Posted 15-09-2011 at 22:02
Update from Andrew Tizzard of https://www.facebook.com/groups/protectthepriddycircles/
I have today received the following written response from Tessa Munt MP.
Hello Andrew,
Following my chasing I have just received the news below.
'
Mrs Munt,
You will recall that you had recently requested an update as to the current situation regarding the damage caused to the stone circles in Priddy.
The lead agency in the investigation is English Heritage, who provide the expertise in dealing with such matters.
They are working closely however with local officers, namely DI Glover and DS Palmer from Mendip CID, and the incident is also recorded under our own crime recording system, Guardian reference number 81163/11.
Enquiries and evidence gathering is still being conducted in partnership between the two organisations, whereby there is a potential suspect who we are looking to prosecute under the 'Ancient Monuments And Archaeological Areas Act'
of 1979.
Although the damage caused initially gained the interest of the media, this has since subsided and there are no associated community tensions at this time.
Regards
Mark Nicholson
SSN Inspector 3550'
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PeteG
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| Posted 15-09-2011 at 23:02
I have been told by a friend in Somerset who visited the site a month after I flew over that even more damage has since been done. Can anyone local confirm this please?
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TheCaptain
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| Posted 02-10-2011 at 20:24
Stopped by for a quick look through the gate again this afternoon, and didn't seem to be much different, although some electrical fencing has been installed in the field (with sheep), and some very worn and muddy vehicular tracks from the gate alonside the eastern wall into the henge area.
I'll try and get round to posting a picture.
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TheCaptain
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| Posted 08-10-2011 at 15:32
Latest from the facebook page, posted as a response to my picture showing the latest vehicular damage to the circle.
"I heard back from EH this week- same result as others on here have had: they cannot make any comment due to possible legal proceedings. They had already had the report of recent damage caused by heavy vehicles & are actively investigating that. I also had response from A&S police. They couldn't release info via foi due to various rules but they did ask if I had any specific firsthand evidence/info (which I don't). If any of you did actually see the damage being caused/know anyone who did witness the damage, A&S need to hear from you".
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PeteG
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| Posted 14-10-2011 at 19:46
from the facebook page "the landowner could actually be paid to put right damage they caused"
Someone tell me Natural England and EH are Not serious about this?
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Andy B
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| Posted 14-10-2011 at 20:19
Indeed, and I would think the people down at Save Penwith Moors would have something to say about Natural England being involved in doling out heritage money!
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TheCaptain
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| Posted 31-10-2011 at 23:21
Somerset man arrested over damage to Priddy Circles
From http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-15528908
"A 72-year-old man from Somerset has been arrested on suspicion of damaging a prehistoric monument near Wells.
Damage was done to a section of the Priddy Circles, which is made up of four large Neolithic circular henges, at some point in May or June this year.
Avon and Somerset Police questioned the man and released him on police bail.
English Heritage said it was a criminal offence to intentionally or recklessly destroy or damage a scheduled monument without lawful excuse.
According to Somerset County Council, Priddy Circles is one of the most important prehistoric monuments in the county and constructed approximately 5,000 years ago."
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TheCaptain
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| Posted 31-10-2011 at 23:31
and from Plod: http://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/LocalPages/NewsDetails.aspx?nsid=24508&t=1&lid=4
"A man has been arrested in connection with an investigation into damage to a historic monument in Somerset.
Priddy Circles is a Scheduled Monument of four large Neolithic circular henges near to Wells. One of the circles was damaged at some point between May 1 and June 23, 2011 which is a criminal offence under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979
The damage has been investigated jointly by Avon and Somerset Police and English Heritage. Today (Monday October 31, 2011) police officers arrested a man on suspicion of criminal damage and causing damage to a scheduled monument. He was taken into custody for interview and he was bailed pending further enquiries.
Anyone with information about the damage is asked to contact Avon and Somerset Police on the non-emergency number 101. Alternatively, phone the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. They never ask your name or trace your call."
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PeteG
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| Posted 01-11-2011 at 17:30
http://www.wellspeople.co.uk/Priddy-Circles-arrest-damage-investigation/story-13722449-detail/story.html
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TheCaptain
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| Posted 12-01-2012 at 02:16
Extended bail for Priddy Circles damage suspect
http://www.thisissomerset.co.uk/Extended-bail-Priddy-Circles-damage-suspect/story-14389772-detail/story.html
Police have extended the bail of a man arrested on suspicion of damaging Priddy Circles in Somerset, one of the most important Neolithic monuments in the country.
The 72-year-old was arrested and released on bail on October 31 last year and was due to report to police again yesterday. His bail has been extended while investigations continue.
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Martin_L
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| Posted 12-01-2012 at 08:24
Quote from article: "The maximum fine for damaging a Scheduled Ancient Monument is £20,000." Is this true?
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Runemage
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| Posted 12-01-2012 at 09:49
The Law :-
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1979/46
28 Offence of damaging certain ancient monuments.(1)A person who without lawful excuse destroys or damages any protected monument—
(a)knowing that it is a protected monument; and
(b)intending to destroy or damage the monument or being reckless as to whether the monument would be destroyed or damaged;
shall be guilty of an offence.(2)This section applies to anything done by or under the authority of the owner of the monument, other than an act for the execution of excepted works, as it applies to anything done by any other person.
In this subsection “excepted works” means works for which scheduled monument consent has been given under this Act (including any consent granted by order under section 3).(3)In this section “protected monument” means any scheduled monument and any monument under the ownership or guardianship of the Secretary of State [F84or the Commission] or a local authority by virtue of this Act.
(4)A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable—
(a)on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or both; or
(b)on conviction on indictment, to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or both.
....
So I guess the 'Statutory Maximum' is determined on a scale of fines which I don't have time to look for right now, sorry.
Rune
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On 2012-01-12 08:24, Martin_L wrote:
Quote from article: "The maximum fine for damaging a Scheduled Ancient Monument is £20,000." Is this true? |
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Martin_L
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| Posted 12-01-2012 at 11:44
Thank you very much, Rune. So as expected it is a bit more detailed, than mentioned in the newspapers' article.
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TheCaptain
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| Posted 09-03-2012 at 21:23
three quarters of a year on, and still nothing happens.
http://www.thisissomerset.co.uk/Heritage-group-considering-action-ancient-circles/story-15435722-detail/story.html
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PeteG
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| Posted 09-03-2012 at 21:40
the words "if any" ring loud!
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PeteG
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| Posted 04-04-2012 at 14:46
STATEMENT: PRIDDY CIRCLES – ENGLISH HERITAGE ISSUED COURT SUMMONS
Following a detailed investigation by English Heritage and Avon & Somerset Police into the circumstances surrounding damage to one of the Priddy Circles, which is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, a local man has been summoned to appear at South Somerset and Mendip Magistrates’ Court on 19th April 2012 for an alleged offence in connection with works to a Scheduled Monument without Scheduled Monument Consent contrary to section 2(1) of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979.
Priddy Circles, near Wells, is a scheduled monument of four large Neolithic circular earthwork enclosures.
Issued by English Heritage Communications
4 April 2012
http://www.peteglastonbury.plus.com/PriddyDamage.jpg
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PeteG
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| Posted 04-04-2012 at 22:14
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-17614600
BBC report
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Andy B
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| Posted 05-04-2012 at 10:59
Thanks for the links Pete
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PeteG
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| Posted 05-04-2012 at 12:33
http://www.wellspeople.co.uk/Man-arrested-stone-circle-damage/story-15726487-detail/story.html
another here with an early photo of the damage.
I got around to uploading the TV news reports here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcudeU2Tbc4
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