Three men from Liverpool have been convicted after their own TikTok videos linked them to serious damage caused to a protected beauty spot in north Wales. John Robinson, Michael Williams and Joseph Hodgson were part of a convoy that drove 4x4 vehicles from Liverpool to the Berwyn Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in Denbighshire in June 2025.
Damage to rare habitats
Wrexham Magistrates' Court heard that seven 4x4 vehicles travelled to Berwyn SSSI, a protected site under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, on June 1, 2025. The vehicles travelled over 3km of privately owned land, leaving what Natural Resources Wales (NRW) described as "huge tyre marks and damage in peat and blanket bog habitats", both of which are rare and protected.
A gate lock was broken with bolt croppers and signs were torn down to enable access, despite clear signage stating that private vehicles were not permitted. NRW said the damage was obvious and avoidable given the vehicles' size and the habitat's fragility.
TikTok evidence
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.
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, saying he had sold his vehicle, but checks later showed he had posted TikTok videos and could be seen driving on the protected habitat.
Court outcome
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. A warrant has been issued for his arrest to bring him to court for sentencing.
Robinson was ordered to pay a total of £2,121.52, including £1,000 compensation for damage to a SSSI, £1,000 costs, and was disqualified from driving for two months starting immediately. Williams was ordered to pay a total of £2,000, including £1,000 compensation, £1,000 costs, and was also 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."
She added: "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."
NRW's National Peatland Action Programme (NPAP) specialist team will undertake peatland restoration works to help 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 SSSI is an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (as amended). 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.
