Footage shows vehicle driving on protected North Wales countryside where vehicle access is not permitted
Off-roaders who caused serious damage to a Welsh beauty spot were caught through videos they shared on TikTok. Three men from Liverpool travelled to an area in north Wales in 4x4s and caused extensive damage to “rare and protected” habitats, a court has heard.
John Robinson, Michael Williams and Joseph Hodgson were part of a convoy that drove the vehicles from Liverpool to the Berwyn Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in Denbighshire in June 2025. The group have now been convicted following an investigation by Natural Resources Wales (NRW).
Robinson and Williams were ordered to pay compensation and disqualified from driving for two months, while Hodgson did not attend court but was found guilty of criminal damage in his absence.
Wrexham Magistrates’ Court heard seven 4×4 vehicles travelled to Berwyn SSSI, a protected site under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, from Liverpool on June 1, 2025.
The vehicles travelled over 3km of privately owned land which NRW said left “huge tyre marks and damage in peat and blanket bog habitats” , both of which are rare and protected. NRW said the damage was obvious and avoidable given the vehicles’ size and the habitat’s fragility.
A gate lock was also broken with bolt croppers and signs were torn down to enable the vehicles to gain access, despite clear signage installed by landowners stating that private vehicles were not permitted.
TikTok accounts linked to the group showed images and videos placing the defendants and their vehicles at the site. The footage showed them causing serious damage to the peat and bog habitat and leaving deep tracks when entering the blanket bog.
The videos also revealed that two vehicles became stuck and were towed out by other members of the group, causing further harm to the habitat.
In an interview under caution Robinson admitted damaging the lock and signage to let the group enter together and accepted they drove onto the SSSI. Williams also accepted being part of the group that entered the site.
Hodgson chose not to co-operate with NRW or attend an interview. He said he had sold his vehicle, however, checks later showed that he was one of the people who had posted TikTok videos and he could be seen driving on the protected habitat.
At Wrexham Magistrates’ Court on Thursday Robinson pleaded guilty to criminal damage and Williams accepted damaging the ancient peat and blanket bog site at an earlier hearing.
Hodgson failed to attend court but was found guilty in his absence of criminal damage to the lock and gate sign preventing entry to the site. He had previously accepted that he had caused damage to the ancient peat-bog site. A warrant has been issued for his arrest to bring him to court for him to be sentenced.
Robinson was ordered to pay a total of £2,121.52, including £1,000 compensation for damage to a SSSI, ordered to pay £1,000 costs and disqualified from driving for two months starting immediately.
Williams was ordered to pay a total of £2,000, including £1,000 compensation for damage to a SSSI, ordered to pay costs of £1,000 and disqualified from driving for two months starting immediately.
Kirsty Roberts, for NRW, said: “Sites of Special Scientific Interest are designated and protected because they support the UK’s most important rare and fragile wildlife. Blanket bog is particularly sensitive. Once it is cut up by deep ruts, the water balance can be altered for years degrading habitat and reducing carbon storage.
“Illegal off-roading also impacts farmers and landowners who manage these privately owned working landscapes, disrupting farming operations, increasing costs, and undermining long-term conservation efforts.
“We take action where protected sites are damaged, and we urge everyone using the countryside to follow signs, stick to lawful routes, and help safeguard these nationally important places.
“We would also like to thank the landowners, walkers and volunteers who lawfully protect the environment, despite fear and abuse from those illegally driving and damaging this Welsh site of special scientific interest.”
NRW’s National Peatland Action Programme (NPAP) specialist team will undertake peatland restoration works, helping to return the site to a healthy condition.
PC Eryl Lloyd of the North Wales Police Rural Crime Team said: “Investigating damage to sites of special scientific interest (SSSI) and natural habitats is one of our priorities. We will continue to work with Natural Resources Wales to assist in their investigations and protect our wildlife.”
Any activity, including unauthorised use of vehicles, that causes damage to any Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (as amended). NRW has powers to investigate and take enforcement action.
People can report illegal driving in the countryside and on protected sites to the police by calling 101 or to NRW on 0300 065 3000.
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