Two brothers - one of them a police special constable - have been locked up for “wanton vandalism” at a well-known beauty spot.
The pair set fire to a digger at Berwyn Quarry on the scenic Horseshoe Pass, near Llangollen, and pushed a smaller digger over an edge, as well as setting alight an old caravan.
The repair bill for the damage amounted to many thousands of pounds.
Ryan Sterling, 30, and his 20-year-old brother Jay, both of Cedar Avenue, Bebington, Wirral, had denied arson and causing criminal damage but had been convicted by a jury at Mold crown court a few weeks ago.
Jay’s barrister, Peter Moss, told Caernarfon crown jacourt he was of exemplary character and was going to join Merseyside Police.
“But because of these matters hopes of pursuing such a career are truly dashed,” he added.
Judge Rhys Rowlands said he was a special constable with Merseyside Police but “completely unsuited” for such a career, when he had lied to the police and tried to switch blame to a third defendant, Stuart Curtis, 28, of Vaughan Road, New Brighton.
Curtis, who had given evidence against the brothers, admitted setting fire to the caravan and was given a five months suspended sentence and ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work by Judge Rowlands.
Matthew Curtis, prosecuting, said the owner of the quarry stated that he’d received an insurance payout of £60,000 which was used to replace the two diggers and a cutter on a like-for-like basis.
Mr Moss said it was “astounding” to see an industrious young man such as Jay in such trouble. He was now hoping to become a paramedic. Mr Moss said he’d always admitted tipping the smaller digger over the edge.
Elen Owen, for his elder brother, said it wasn’t premeditated. They had set out with the intention of mountain climbing. Ryan had two children and had worked since the age of 16, and what had happened was out of character.
Simon Killeen, for Stuart Curtis, said the offence happened 17 months ago and he had pleaded guilty.
Judge Rowlands declined to suspend the brothers’ sentences of 15 months each. “Significant damage has been caused to this fairly small business,” he declared.
see- http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/special-constable-jailed-berwyn-wanton-10520127
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