A 68-year-old farmer from Herefordshire has been sentenced to 12 months in prison for causing extensive damage to the River Lugg, a Site of Special Scientific Interest. John 'Pudge' Price, a third-generation landowner and community pillar, used heavy machinery without consent to dredge and re-profile a mile-long stretch of the river in 2020 and 2021. The work aimed to prevent flooding but breached environmental regulations, destroying habitats for otters, kingfishers, salmon, and other species.
District Judge Ian Strongman described the damage as 'ecological vandalism on an industrial scale,' noting that Price had turned the river into a 'canal devoid of most life.' Price had previously been fined in 2007 for creating an illegal dam and had received warnings for removing gravel from the riverbed. The court also ordered him to pay restoration costs and £600,000 in prosecution fees, bringing the total to over £1 million.
Price, who suffers from anxiety and is reportedly autistic, was described as 'frightened and bewildered' as he was taken to HMP Hewell, a prison known for its harsh conditions. His lawyers plan to appeal the sentence, arguing it is too severe given his guilty plea and mental state. Herefordshire County Councillor Sebastian Bowen expressed concern that Price may be placed on suicide watch.
The case has divided the local community, with many viewing Price as a philanthropist who allowed a fundraising pop concert on his land to save a communal green space from development. Supporters argue that his actions were misguided but not malicious, and that prison is an excessive punishment for a first-time environmental offender. The case highlights tensions between agricultural needs and environmental protection in rural England.
