Couple who lived in 'underground dwelling' unlawfully for years hauled before courts

Couple who lived in 'underground dwelling' unlawfully for years hauled before courtsGarry Braund and Tina Thorne have been handed suspended prison sentences after they repeatedly ignored council warnings about their unauthorised living arrangements in North DevonNewsCarl Eve and Liam Doyle11:09, 17 Apr 2026View 2 ImagesSignage warning of the 'blind bend' at Honey HillA couple who constructed a countryside "underground dwelling" without planning permission were hauled before the court after ignoring multiple council orders.‌Garry Braund and Tina Thorne repeatedly ignored council warnings regarding land at Honey Hill, Snapper, instead expanding their unauthorised setup over a nine-year period. North Devon Council stated the pair were initially served a planning enforcement notice in December 2016 when it discovered the land "was being used as a residence with caravans and sheds, and vehicle access had been constructed which entered the road on a blind bend".‌The couple pleaded guilty to four breaches of failing to comply with an enforcement notice at a hearing at Exeter County Court on Tuesday, March 24.‌READ MORE: 'Give our illegal home to housing charity - don't just demolish it'READ MORE: 'Eyesore' £10m mansion owned by Iran Government left to rot in UK for 16 yearsView 2 ImagesThe couple were hauled before Exeter County Court(Image: BPM MEDIA)A spokesperson said: "Despite repeated warnings, opportunities to comply, and previous court involvement, the breaches persisted for approximately nine years. Over that time the unauthorised development intensified, including the expansion of residential use, additional structures, and the creation of an underground dwelling."In a statement yesterday, the council confirmed that Braund and Thorne's conduct amounted to persistent and deliberate non-compliance, reports Devon Live. They were sentenced to 42 days in prison, suspended for 12 months, on...