Tree surgeon Steve Wadey, of Middleton-on-Sea, was given a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £250 costs by Worthing magistrates on Monday, June 16.

He pleaded guilty to ordering the felling of a Corsican pine tree at Beehive Lane in Ferring.

The tree was covered by a tree preservation order.

Mark Molica-Franco, a gardener from Eastergate, and Pamela Anderson, a director of Westermain Ltd, the company which owned the land, received complete discharges after pleading guilty at an earlier hearing.

All three were summoned to court as it is an offence to both carry out the works and order that the works be carried out without council approval.

The offences can carry a fine of up to £20,000.

The illegal felling came to light last September when a resident informed the council.

After investigation, the council found Mr Wadey had been employed by the property owner to cut down a large tree at the front of the property.

The land owner instructed the gardener to carry out the works but the gardener instructed the tree surgeon, Mr Wadey.

Councillor Ricky Bower, cabinet member for planning, said: "Preservation orders are placed on trees for very good reasons and it is the responsibility of any person who wishes to carry out tree work to check with the local authority first. "

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