Three men from Liverpool have been convicted after seven 4x4 vehicles were driven onto a protected Site of Special Scientific Interest in Denbighshire, causing serious damage to ancient peat and blanket bog.

The convictions follow an investigation by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) into an incident at the Berwyn SSSI on June 1, 2025.

The group travelled from Liverpool in convoy and drove more than three kilometres across privately owned land towards Moel Fferna, despite clear signs stating that private vehicles were not permitted.

NRW said the vehicles left deep tyre tracks across the protected landscape, damaging peat and blanket bog habitats.

A lock securing a gate was also broken using bolt croppers and signs were torn down to allow the vehicles to enter.

The extent of the damage was particularly serious because peatlands are fragile environments and play an important role in storing carbon and regulating water.

Evidence gathered by NRW included photographs and videos posted on TikTok accounts linked to the group. The footage placed the defendants and their vehicles at the site and showed vehicles driving across the protected habitat.

Two of the 4x4s became stuck in the bog and had to be towed out by other members of the group, causing further damage.

NRW subsequently classified the most serious damage as a Category 2 impact, describing it as significant harm to an SSSI habitat. Deep ruts had caused long-term damage to the hydrology of the peatland, potentially limiting its ability to recover naturally.

At Wrexham Magistrates' Court on August 20, John Robinson and Michael Williams, both from Liverpool, were sentenced after previously admitting offences.

Robinson pleaded guilty to criminal damage and admitted damaging the lock and signage to allow the vehicles into the site.

He was ordered to pay a total of £2,121.52, including £1,000 compensation for damage to the SSSI and £1,000 in costs. He was also disqualified from driving for two months.

Williams accepted that he had been part of the group which entered the protected site and had damaged the peatland.

He was ordered to pay £2,000, including £1,000 compensation and £1,000 costs, and was also disqualified from driving for two months.

A third defendant, Joseph Hodgson, also from Liverpool, failed to attend court and was found guilty in his absence of criminal damage to the gate lock and signage. He had previously accepted causing damage to the ancient peat bog.

A warrant has now been issued for Hodgson's arrest so that he can be brought before the court for sentencing.

NRW said the incident demonstrates the potentially lasting consequences of illegal off-roading in protected landscapes.

Kirsty Roberts, speaking on behalf of 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 also highlighted the impact on farmers and landowners who manage privately owned working landscapes.

“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,” she said.

NRW's National Peatland Action Programme specialist team will now carry out restoration work aimed at helping return the damaged peatland to a healthy condition.

PC Eryl Lloyd, of North Wales Police's Rural Crime Team, said protecting SSSIs and natural habitats was one of the team's priorities.

“We will continue to work with Natural Resources Wales to assist in their investigations and protect our wildlife,” he said.

NRW says unauthorised vehicle activity which causes damage to an SSSI can constitute an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, as amended.

The agency is urging people using the countryside to respect signs and stay on lawful routes.

It is also asking people to report illegal driving in the countryside or on protected sites to North Wales Police on 101, or to Natural Resources Wales on 0300 065 3000.