A man who tried to cut down a council-owned tree at a car park has been ordered to pay hundreds of pounds in compensation.

Charles Cyril Booth, 38, appeared before Weymouth Magistrates Court charged with criminal damage to property valued under £5,000.

He pleaded guilty to attempting to cut down a tree at Radipole Park Gardens car park that belonged to Weymouth Town Council.

Booth had been visiting Weymouth with a group of people earlier this month.

The court heard that on July 6, police officers had been called out to Radipole Gardens to reports of several vehicles trying to force their way into the car park.

While they were at the scene officers saw Booth attempting to cut down the tree with gardening tools.

Prosecutor Jason Spellman said: "He caused damage to the tree, which is a well established tree."

Aileen Tring, mitigating, said at the time of the incident, a man wearing a balaclava had been running around the area with a knife, and that he had attempted to cut down the tree so he could escape.

Ms Tring said: "He cut the tree down do he could get out and away from a dangerous situation.

"He has worked as a landscape gardener. He did know what he was doing."

Chairman of the bench Pamela Homer commented that even though Booth had worked as a landscape gardener, he should not have attempted to cut down the tree.

Booth, of Buchanan Road, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, was fined £100 and ordered to pay £571.86 in compensation to cover the costs of replacing the tree. He was also required to pay a £32 victim surcharge and £85 in court costs.

Jane Biscombe, Weymouth town clerk, said: "Weymouth Town Council is thankful to Dorset Police for their swift action in making an arrest and bringing a prosecution forward.

"The council will look to prosecute anyone vandalising any of the town council’s land or facilities. We have a duty to ensure that local people’s council tax is spent wisely and prudently, and this includes ensuring that people who cause criminal damage are held accountable for their actions."