A businessman owner of an airport in a footage was seen dragging a parish councillor by the hair after ‘throwing him to the floor in a headlock’ over birds’ nests.

Harrogate Magistrates Court were shown mobile phone footage of the incident in the North Yorkshire village of Church Fenton between council chair Andrew Mason, 63, and businessman Chris Makin, 65.

What Happened?

In the video, Mr Mason is seen lying on the floor and can be heard shouting ‘get off me’, as Makin – who owns Leeds East Airport – tears at his clothes and hair trying to remove him from the front of the cherry-picker.

Mr Mason screams at him that ‘the police are on their way, you lunatic’ as well as calling Makin an ‘ignorant bully’ while swearing at him.

Details of the Argument

The argument between the pair arose when a group of local residents gathered to try to stop contractors working for Makin, ‘crowning’ trees, as they were concerned about the birds nesting there. 

Meanwhile, police had been called earlier and had advised Makin to stop work but the officers had left by the time the assault happened.

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Court Ruling

Makin was however found guilty of assault by beating at an earlier trial.

On Thursday, chair of the bench Phil Morris said it was an assault of a ‘persistent and prolonged nature’ and fined him £4,800.

He said this was 250 per cent of his weekly income.

Makin was also ordered to pay a £1,920 surcharge, £775 costs and £684 compensation to Mr Mason.