- It occurred within the North Yorkshire village of Church Fenton in April 2023
- Chris Makin, 65 may be seen tearing at Andrew Mason, 63, hair and garments
An ‘uncontrolled’ businessman proprietor of an airport dragged a parish councillor by the hair after ‘throwing him to the ground in a headlock’ in a livid row over birds’ nests.
Harrogate Magistrates Court had been proven cell phone footage of the incident within the North Yorkshire village of Church Fenton between council chair Andrew Mason, 63, and businessman Chris Makin, 65.
In the video, Mr Mason is seen mendacity on the ground and may be heard shouting ‘get off me’, as Makin – who owns Leeds East Airport – tears at his garments and hair making an attempt to take away him from the entrance of the cherry-picker.
Mr Mason screams at him that ‘the police are on their means, you lunatic’ in addition to calling Makin an ‘ignorant bully’ whereas swearing at him.
The argument between the pair arose when a bunch of native residents gathered to attempt to cease contractors working for Makin, ‘crowning’ bushes, as they had been involved in regards to the birds nesting there.
Mr Smith informed the courtroom that, at one level, Makin seems to instruct his workmen to maneuver the cherry picker ahead as Mr Mason is mendacity in entrance of it and the defendant may be heard on the video saying ‘ahead a bit’.
Prosecutors on Thursday described how, earlier than the footage begins, Makin had poked Mr Mason within the face, knocking off his glasses, after which ‘thrown him to the ground in a kind-of headlock’.
Michael Smith, prosecuting, mentioned: ‘The defendant scooped Mr Mason’s hair into his fingers and tried to tug him throughout the street by his hair.’
In a sufferer private assertion learn to the courtroom, Mr Mason mentioned that, at that time, he thought ‘my life is in peril’.
Also in his assertion, the parish council chair expressed dismay that he ‘might be viciously attacked in broad daylight within the village I really like and the place I’ve introduced up my youngsters’.
Mr Smith mentioned they had been involved in regards to the birds and that he didn’t have permission to take away nests nor shut the street.
Police had been known as earlier and had suggested Makin to cease work however the officers had left by the point the assault occurred.
The prosecutor mentioned the defendant had not proven any regret.
Makin, of Micklefield, North Yorkshire, was discovered responsible of assault by beating at an earlier trial.
On Thursday, chair of the bench Phil Morris mentioned it was an assault of a ‘persistent and extended nature’ and fined him £4,800.
He mentioned this was 250 per cent of his weekly earnings.
Makin was additionally ordered to pay a £1,920 surcharge, £775 prices and £684 compensation to Mr Mason.
Richard Wright KC, defending, mentioned his shopper had ‘realized a salutary lesson’ and informed the courtroom he had made a ‘large contribution to the GDP of the UK’.
Mr Wright mentioned Makin was ‘used to getting on with issues and getting a job carried out within the public curiosity.
‘He needed to get this job carried out however went about it the improper means.’
Speaking exterior the courtroom, Mr Mason mentioned: ‘We dwell in a stunning, quiet, little rural village in North Yorkshire and I used to be taking place to the neighborhood store to assist my spouse. I’ve been a parish councillor for 15 years and I imagine in society and I imagine in civil order and that broke down on that Sunday morning.
‘And it broke down, I imagine, as a result of there’s a bully who was there who needed to do what he needed to do, no matter anyone getting in his means and I believe that is improper.
‘It was terrifying to be slumped beneath the cherry picker with a person who I believed was uncontrolled, instructing the cherry picker operator to drive excessive of me. It’s chilling. There’s no two methods about it.’
Mr Mason mentioned: ‘During the trial, one of many witnesses mentioned that he believed that he witnessed what seemed to be an tried homicide, as a result of had that cherry picker moved ahead two toes then I might have died.
‘I believe his behaviour was scurrilous, I believe he is a bully, and I believe justice has been served. His good identify not exists.’
