Simon STONE appeared before Newport Magistrates court on 8th March 2023 representing his company Crownhill Topsoils Limited who are based at Ifton Quarry in Rogiet. STONE pleaded guilty following a successful collaboration between Gwent Police and Natural Resources Wales.

In June 2022, an employee of Crownhill Topsoils Limited excavated the site using plant machinery despite the site being the subject of a Great Crested Newt relocation programme.

After pleading guilty in court, the Magistrates ordered STONE to pay £2,885 in fines and costs.

This site at Ifton Quarry is regarded as one of the most important sites in the United Kingdom and the loss of the Great Crested Newts will significantly impact the species for years to come.

PC Mark Powell said: “Police forces across Wales are successfully working with Natural Resources Wales and the National Wildlife Crime Unit to investigate and prosecute those responsible for committing wildlife and rural crime offences. Partnership working has never been so productive. It’s so important to preserve already dwindling protected native species such as Great Crested Newts. We welcome sentences of this magnitude which I believe will go a long way to deter others from committing future offences.”