MILITARY chiefs have warned visitors about removing objects from MoD land after two men who carried a tank shell off a beach within the Lulworth Ranges were prosecuted.

Alan Barlow and his daughter’s fiancé, Jason Kelly were photographed carrying a huge tank shell away from the danger area at Tyneham.

The images, printed in the Dorset Echo shortly afterwards, sparked an appeal from the MoD for information, leading Barlow, 71, to contact military police.

Both he and Kelly, 33, were given an absolute discharge by magistrates when they appeared in court this week. They had admitted taking possession of a projectile and removing it from the danger area without lawful authority.

It turned out the item they removed was a 120 millimetre practice shell.

The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), which manages the training estate, is issuing a reminder to the public that serious injury or even death could result if shells are disturbed.

It is an offence to remove objects from the Defence estate and signs are placed on all training areas highlighting the risks.

Public routes are regularly cleared of debris to ensure visitor safety but training estate users are advised that if they find anything they suspect to be dangerous they should call the police who will arrange for bomb disposal experts to attend.

Lt Col Ric Howick, DIO Training Safety Officer, said: “DIO maintains military training areas to achieve its aim of providing the best possible facilities for the armed forces as they prepare for operations.

“The safety of all users of the Defence estate is of upmost importance and we work to ensure that all paths are cleared of potentially hazardous debris before the public are allowed access.

“However, in line with warning signs across the training estate, we would like to remind visitors of the dangers of straying from designated routes and touching or removing objects that they may find. The MOD will take steps to prosecute anyone who is found in breach of the rules.”

The court heard, Barlow, of Poole, said he removed the shell as he was trying to protect children playing nearby.

Jonathan Morrissey, mitigating, said the men, accompanied by Barlow’s daughter, Judi, and wife, Jennifer, visited the area on the May bank holiday this year for a walk.

“They had a very pleasant walk finished in a steep ascent,” he said.

“At the top of this was a notice and this was the only notice they had seen.I am aware there are notices with regard to local bylaws but Mr Barlow and his colleagues were not in a position to see them.”

As they came to the end of the walk, Barlow saw a number of children playing by the cliff top.

Mr Morrissey said: “This was concerning and drew him to them.

“On the way there, they noticed a pile of disused shells – maybe half-a-dozen or more. They were clearly not live because of the presence of concrete.”

However, the men were concerned that the children might be able to roll them off the cliff and decided to take them away.

“They made the decision to put the shells in the car,” said Mr Morrissey. “He was public-spirited in an inappropriate way.”

He added: “There is no nefarious or sinister intent here.”

Barlow, who works part-time as a science technician and senior midday supervisor at a local school, wore a navy suit and red tie to court.

His future son-in-law did not appear, choosing instead to post his guilty plea to the court.

The men were charged £85 each in prosecution costs.