A HEREFORDSHIRE farmer who caused 'wanton destruction' to the river Lugg has been up before the courts again.

Yesterday (January 31), John Price pleaded guilty to felling growing timber at a woodland in Brimfield between February 14, 2022 and February 21, 2022 without having the licence to do so. 

His appearance came just six months after he was released from prison after serving less than three months for the damage caused to the Lugg. 

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John Price jailed for bulldozing Lugg riverbank

Hereford Times: John Price reportedly served less than three months of his prison sentenceJohn Price reportedly served less than three months of his prison sentence (Image: Richard Stanton)

Below is a timeline of Price's crimes. 

1998

Price put rubble against the river bank and was handed a warning. Later that year, he removed around 10 tonnes of gravel from the river without consent and when told he was committing a criminal offence, told officials 'to just forget about it'.

August 1999

Price removed gravel and was challenged by officials.

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July 2007

Price was fined for creating a dam to extract water for his potato crop.

November 2018

Price reprofiled the river and created flood barriers from material he scraped from the river. He was described as being hostile towards officials and was again reminded about his obligations.

Hereford Times: Authorities were called to the river Lugg in Kingsland, where John Price illegally carried out reprofiling works (Authorities were called to the river Lugg in Kingsland, where John Price illegally carried out reprofiling works ( (Image: SWNS)

July 2020

Price was again issued with a warning regarding work he was carrying out.

November 2020

Price hired an 18-tonne bulldozer and used it to remove gravel from the river bed. Around 70 trees were uprooted and the banks were reprofiled. Natural England says the water will proceed more rapidly to the next pinchpoint, such as a bridge, therefore causing flooding elsewhere.

December 3, 2020

Price, who falsely said that he had permission, was issued with a stop notice.

December 2021

Price embarked on further work nearer the bridge, using heavy machinery to remove gravel.

Hereford Times: John Price (centre) leaving Hereford Magistrates Court on Wednesday (January 31).John Price (centre) leaving Hereford Magistrates Court on Wednesday (January 31). (Image: Hereford Times)

February 2022

Priced felled growing trees that were around 50 years old in an area of woodland in Brimfield. He was fined £1,750 and told to pay prosecution costs of £135 and a victim surcharge of £175 respectively.