Local farmer gets police warning after Trump course flags theft
FROM THE HERALDSCOTLAND WEBSITE
By heraldscotland staff
A farmer at the centre of a land battle with property giant Donald Trump has been charged with theft after allegedly stealing flags from the billionaire’s golf course.
Michael Forbes, 57, was given a formal police warning after he was allegedly spotted removing more than 20 boundary flags from Menie Estate on June 13.
Marker flags worth about £13 were taken from the controversial development.
A Grampian Police spokesman said yesterday: “We can confirm a 57-year-old man was spoken to in connection with the theft of identification flags at the Menie Estate. He received an adult formal warning letter from officers.”
Police said they were taking no further action against Forbes.
He will not appear in court in relation to the case unless he decides to challenge the charge which will otherwise remain on his criminal record.
Forbes, who lives at Mill of Menie, is one of the four homeowners refusing to sell their plots of land to Donald Trump.
David Milne, Susan Munro and Mark Hewison are also campaigning against the development on their doorsteps.
The homeowners were recently further infuriated when aerial sketches on Trump’s masterplan revealed their houses were removed from the site.
Now they are living in fear the council will force the sale of their parcels of land under compulsory purchase orders.
Trump recently pointed out that no properties were required for his 18-hole championship course.
Yesterday, Sarah Malone, executive vice-president of Trump International Golf Links Scotland, said the firm was not surprised by Forbes’ alleged actions.
She said: “It’s unfortunate that he feels the need to resort to criminal activity but we’re pleased that police are taking this very seriously.”
Security at the 1400-acre development has already been tightened following a spate of vandalism acts earlier this year.
Newly-planted marram grass was ripped up, fences pulled down, diesel supplies polluted, and two JCB diggers destroyed in April.
Work was temporarily halted on the site and the police were called in.
No-one has been charged over the incident which cost the Trump Organisation around £50,000.
Outline planning permission for Trump’s proposals for two golf courses, 500 houses, 950 holiday homes and a 450-bedroom hotel was granted by the Scottish Government in December 2008.
FROM THE HERALDSCOTLAND WEBSITE
By heraldscotland staff
A farmer at the centre of a land battle with property giant Donald Trump has been charged with theft after allegedly stealing flags from the billionaire’s golf course.
Michael Forbes, 57, was given a formal police warning after he was allegedly spotted removing more than 20 boundary flags from Menie Estate on June 13.
Marker flags worth about £13 were taken from the controversial development.
A Grampian Police spokesman said yesterday: “We can confirm a 57-year-old man was spoken to in connection with the theft of identification flags at the Menie Estate. He received an adult formal warning letter from officers.”
Police said they were taking no further action against Forbes.
He will not appear in court in relation to the case unless he decides to challenge the charge which will otherwise remain on his criminal record.
Forbes, who lives at Mill of Menie, is one of the four homeowners refusing to sell their plots of land to Donald Trump.
David Milne, Susan Munro and Mark Hewison are also campaigning against the development on their doorsteps.
The homeowners were recently further infuriated when aerial sketches on Trump’s masterplan revealed their houses were removed from the site.
Now they are living in fear the council will force the sale of their parcels of land under compulsory purchase orders.
Trump recently pointed out that no properties were required for his 18-hole championship course.
Yesterday, Sarah Malone, executive vice-president of Trump International Golf Links Scotland, said the firm was not surprised by Forbes’ alleged actions.
She said: “It’s unfortunate that he feels the need to resort to criminal activity but we’re pleased that police are taking this very seriously.”
Security at the 1400-acre development has already been tightened following a spate of vandalism acts earlier this year.
Newly-planted marram grass was ripped up, fences pulled down, diesel supplies polluted, and two JCB diggers destroyed in April.
Work was temporarily halted on the site and the police were called in.
No-one has been charged over the incident which cost the Trump Organisation around £50,000.
Outline planning permission for Trump’s proposals for two golf courses, 500 houses, 950 holiday homes and a 450-bedroom hotel was granted by the Scottish Government in December 2008.
Labels: Golf Development
posted by Colin |
See story on its own page | Tuesday, July 20, 2010
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