AN EDEN Valley man has been fined £169 after he pleaded guilty to interfering with a badger sett.

The case was heard at Carlisle's Rickergate Magistrates' Court, where a prosecuting lawyer outlined that the offence was committed between June 8 and June 11 at Skirwith, near Penrith.

The court heard that John Ivinson, 42, from Ousby, interfered with a sett by damaging part of it, either intending to or being reckless about whether his actions would interfere with the sett.

This was an offence under the 1992 Protection of Badgers Act.

As well as imposing the fine, magistrates also ordered that Ivison pays costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of the same amount.

The defendant's guilty plea was taken into account.