Tycoon took axe to tree protection order

A WEALTHY businessman illegally cut down 11 protected trees on his land to give himself a bigger back garden, a court has heard.

Millionaire David Matthews, 67, ignored Tree Preservation Orders (TPOS) and spent a weekend cutting them down with a chainsaw.

The specimens, including an oak, beech and sweet chestnut, were close to his five-bedroom detached house in Poole, Dorset. Nine of the trees were said to have been up to 100 years old. A member of the public who heard the noise of the trees being felled reported the matter to Poole council, which launched an investigation and subsequently charged Matthews with the wilful destruction of protected trees.

Poole magistrates were told that Matthews had breached a similar order in 2015 and had been given a warning.

The scrap metal dealer pleaded guilty to the charges when he appeared before magistrates in Poole yesterday. Sentencing was adjourned for reports.

It is thought he may also face a Proceeds of Crime hearing to determine if he must pay the amount his property had increased in value because of the felling.

Andy Dearing, head of enforcement at the council, said: “He did it with a chainsaw and really went for it. This is the worst environmental crime of its kind we have seen in Poole.”