A ROGUE farmer who turned a thriving river into a "lifeless" canal to "stop homes flooding" has been jailed.
Multi-millionaire John Price, 68, illegally tore down trees and stripped the banks of the River Lugg to create a vast promenade.
During his destruction – branded "ecological vandalism on an industrial scale" – Price hired an 18-tonne digger to illegally dredge and reprofile the river.
The farmer – worth £25 million – then used gravel from the mile-long stretch in Kingsland, Herefordshire, to build a 20m x 30m hard-standing area.
Amid the carnage, Price drove a bulldozer through the Lugg, decimating the otter, kingfisher, trout and salmon population.
Kidderminster Magistrates’ Court heard Price, who owns land the river runs through, began work in late 2020.
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It was purportedly for flood prevention measures to protect local properties near to his Day House Farm.
But he destroyed the river, home to 121 plant species and a site of special scientific interest since 1995 – a designation Price disagreed with.
The court heard by turning the “traditional tree-lined river into a canal" he caused so much damage that it could take decades to be fully restored.
The court also heard how the farmer, who has autism, chased an official for nearly 12 miles in his car after spotting them taking photographs and videos of the site.
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And he falsely claimed he had permission to carry out the devastating works.
Environmentalists said they were appalled by Price's actions, accusing him of committing one of the worst acts of ecocide they've ever seen.
And Gardeners' World favourite Monty Don – who lives at nearby Longmeadow – blasted reckless Price for the "wanton destruction".
Price was hauled before a court for a three-day sentencing hearing following charges brought by Natural England and the Environment Agency after a joint investigation.
Caging the rural felon for 12-months, with a recommendation half that time should be behind bars, Judge Ian Strongman said Price had left the canal "devoid of most life".
He added: “Any person could not fail to be dismayed by the devastation caused by Mr Price.
"It is ecological vandalism on an industrial scale. It is total ignorance to nature and the environment."
He said Price’s actions had only sent the river level rising, increasing the risk of flooding,
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Price was ordered to pay £600,000 in costs after admitting seven charges of environmental damage.
He was also disqualified from being a company director for three years and ordered to carry out a number of actions to restore the river.
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