This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/dorset/7060174.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Stone circle target of graffiti | Stone circle target of graffiti |
(40 minutes later) | |
An ancient stone circle in Dorset has been targeted by vandals who have covered it in graffiti. | An ancient stone circle in Dorset has been targeted by vandals who have covered it in graffiti. |
Five out of nine stones besides the A35 at Winterbourne Abbas, near Dorchester, were targeted overnight. | Five out of nine stones besides the A35 at Winterbourne Abbas, near Dorchester, were targeted overnight. |
The graffiti includes the "F4J" slogan of Fathers 4 Justice, but the group strenuously denies any involvement. | The graffiti includes the "F4J" slogan of Fathers 4 Justice, but the group strenuously denies any involvement. |
Shaun Flaherty, who works for a sub-contractor of English Heritage that looks after the site, called the graffiti "a disgrace". | Shaun Flaherty, who works for a sub-contractor of English Heritage that looks after the site, called the graffiti "a disgrace". |
The stone circle lies beside the A35 and is surrounded by trees, one of which was also covered in paint. | The stone circle lies beside the A35 and is surrounded by trees, one of which was also covered in paint. |
Dorset police said white paint was also sprayed on the Hardy Monument at Blackdown near Portesham. | |
The monument was erected in 1844 in memory of Vice Admiral Sir Thomas Hardy, a commander at the Battle of Trafalgar. | |
Mr Flaherty, who was at the stone circle site to asses the damage, said: "There are five stones written on. It's very bad. | |
"I think it's a disgrace - they've got no respect." | "I think it's a disgrace - they've got no respect." |
Matt O'Connor, of Fathers 4 Justice, said it was nothing to do with the group, which campaigns for fathers' rights. | Matt O'Connor, of Fathers 4 Justice, said it was nothing to do with the group, which campaigns for fathers' rights. |
"This could be a smear campaign against Fathers 4 Justice," he said. | "This could be a smear campaign against Fathers 4 Justice," he said. |
Tor tower targeted | Tor tower targeted |
"We would just say to people, judge us by the actions which we always put our hands up to." | "We would just say to people, judge us by the actions which we always put our hands up to." |
On 11 October, two Fathers 4 Justice protesters were fined for climbing on to the ancient Wiltshire monument, Stonehenge. | On 11 October, two Fathers 4 Justice protesters were fined for climbing on to the ancient Wiltshire monument, Stonehenge. |
Richard West, 40, of Ottery St Mary, Devon, and Jolly Stanesby, 36, from Ivybridge, Devon, scaled the monument in February. | Richard West, 40, of Ottery St Mary, Devon, and Jolly Stanesby, 36, from Ivybridge, Devon, scaled the monument in February. |
They were found guilty of unlawfully climbing a national monument at Salisbury Magistrates' Court and fined £100 each with £100 costs. | They were found guilty of unlawfully climbing a national monument at Salisbury Magistrates' Court and fined £100 each with £100 costs. |
Graffiti sprayed on to a tower on Glastonbury Tor has also been removed this month at a cost of £2,000. | Graffiti sprayed on to a tower on Glastonbury Tor has also been removed this month at a cost of £2,000. |
The southern face of St Michael's Tower was targeted overnight on 1 October after £500,000 was recently spent restoring the building. | The southern face of St Michael's Tower was targeted overnight on 1 October after £500,000 was recently spent restoring the building. |
Fathers 4 Justice confirmed one of its sympathisers was responsible. | Fathers 4 Justice confirmed one of its sympathisers was responsible. |