Neighbours demand travellers are jailed for turning quiet fields into sprawling caravan park

A group of travellers who set up a caravan site near Sir Winston Churchill's former home have been found in contempt of court.

The 10 individuals could face jail after continuing construction work - despite a court order prohibiting it.

Locals are demanding jail sentences for the group, who installed drainage pipes and dug trenches in breach of an injunction.

Their site at Seasons Farm in Pootings, Kent, sits just miles from Chartwell, where the war hero Prime Minister lived for over four decades.

The group had initially sparked fury by converting the land into a caravan park within just 48 hours.

Work began on a Friday afternoon during a Bank Holiday weekend last year, just as the council shut up shop.

Sevenoaks District Council obtained an injunction, known as a Dove order, in August banning any further development at the site.

However, the council alleged the travellers violated the order in the days and weeks that followed.

The authority took the group back to court, where a High Court judge has now ruled in the council's favour.

A separate hearing is now set to determine their punishment.

Twelve caravans currently occupy the land, alongside a mobile home reportedly worth around £130,000 and a new £40,000 BMW.

Residents claim the travellers have caused "havoc" since arriving at the site.

TRAVELLER TURMOIL - READ MORE:

• Travellers leave locals 'in tears' after setting up illegal 'concrete slab' encampment on grassland
• Traveller site construction compared to 'military operation' after four-acre field entirely concreted over in just days
• Travellers behind 'invasion' of tiny village caught RENTING OUT caravans for £900 per month

One local said: "It's been dreadful. They do whatever they like. Locals have had eggs thrown at them. It is intimidating."

The resident added: "Their horses have broken out into the road, they have chopped trees down. It's been havoc."

Following the contempt ruling, the same local said: "It's great news they have been found in contempt of court. I'd now like to see them jailed and face serious fines for what they have done.

"A strong message needs to be sent out to say we should not tolerate this any longer."

The ten travellers named in High Court paperwork were Patrick Delaney, William Harrington, John Quilligan, Thomas O'Brien, Thomas Coffey, Amanda Coffey, Chantelle Harrington, Sharon O'Brien, Katerina O'Brien and Naomi O'Brien.

Deputy Judge John Halford found the men had purchased the land and planned the move to establish a permanent base.

He ruled that drainage pipes were added and trenches dug after the Dove order was served.

The judge concluded the cesspool work was a joint project benefiting all parties, making each man responsible.

A Sevenoaks District Council spokesman said: "Whilst we welcome the judgement of the court, as legal proceedings are continuing, we are unable to provide any further comment on the case."

Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter