In North Yorkshire, a dispute between a businessman and a parish council chairman over the removal of bird nests escalated into a physical altercation, leading to a court ruling and a fine.
In a recent court case in North Yorkshire, businessman Chris Makin was fined after assaulting parish council chairman Andrew Mason over a dispute concerning bird nests. The incident occurred in Church Fenton, captured on a mobile phone video, where Makin attempted to drag Mason by his clothes and hair. The confrontation escalated when Makin threw Mason to the ground and tried to pull him across the road by his hair. The assault reportedly arose during an attempt by local residents to halt tree-cutting contractors employed by Makin, who were allegedly “crowning” trees without the necessary permissions to remove nests or close the road.
Mason reported the assault had left him with considerable stress and sleep disturbance, expressing fear for his life during the altercation which involved Makin directing workers to operate a cherry-picker close to where he lay on the ground. Witnesses suggested the scenario could have been life-threatening had the cherry-picker moved slightly closer.
The court found Makin guilty of assault by beating. The fine imposed on him totalled £4,800, with additional costs for court fees and compensation. Following the verdict, Mason voiced relief and underlined the significance of maintaining civil order, severely criticizing Makin’s actions. Despite the defence’s argument highlighting Makin’s past contributions and remorse, the judgment emphasised the gravity of his “out of control” behavior during the incident.
