Hedge charge man condemns police

All charges against Mr Lenthall were dropped

A parish councillor in Somerset is asking police for an apology after he was charged with criminal damage for trimming back a roadside hedge.

Brian Lenthall, 52, says he was treated like a criminal for trying to keep the village safe and tidy. He cut back the hedge believing it belonged to Corfe Parish Council - but in fact it was owned by a resident.

Mr Lenthall appeared in court three times before the charges were later dropped.

In a statement, Avon and Somerset police say they are "duty bound to investigate claims of criminal damage".

They added that further information from Somerset County Council had been presented saying that the hedge maintenance could be carried out because the foliage overhung the road.

At that point the Crown Prosecution Service decided not to peruse the case.

The statement added: "Police acted properly with all the information which was available to the officer in the case at the time the criminal damage was reported."

Mr Lenthall, a married father of three, acted after villagers told the parish council that visibility at a junction was impaired and there had been several near misses.

He trimmed the hedge believing it was on land owned by the council - although in fact it belonged to resident Ian Atkinson.

"If I'd realised it had belonged to Mr Atkinson I wouldn't have touched it," he said.

My treatment couldn't have been worse if I'd murdered someone Brian Lenthall

Mr Lenthall said he was "treated like a known criminal at the police station".

"I was locked in a cell for an hour before being charged with causing criminal damage," he said.

"I couldn't believe it, the whole thing's been like a nightmare. My treatment couldn't have been worse if I'd murdered someone."

Hedge owner Mr Atkinson said he and his family had found the whole matter "very distressing":

A police spokesman said the force would not comment but that Mr Lenthall could complain through the normal channels.

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