A MAN who destroyed a monkey puzzle tree in Bridgwater has been sentenced to an 18-month community order with 160 hours of unpaid work.

Anthony Michael May, 54, of Dorset Road, committed the offence on June 25, 2022, contrary to the Criminal Damage Act 1971.

The tree he destroyed belonged to Justine Elliott and was valued at more than £5,000.

May appeared at Taunton Magistrates’ Court in November 2022.

The monkey puzzle tree is a common sight in gardens across the UK.The monkey puzzle tree is a common sight in gardens across the UK. (Image: Evelyn Simak, Geograph)

The court heard that he was “intending to destroy or damage such property, or being reckless as to whether such property would be destroyed or damaged”.

His case was referred to Taunton Crown Court (which is currently sitting at North Somerset Courthouse in Worle), where he pleaded guilty on May 8, 2024.

He was sentenced on July 2 by Judge Richard Shephard.

Alongside the community order, May has been ordered to pay £1,500 in compensation.