Court confirms Earl of Inchcape owns Wiltshire woodland and bars trespasser
The High Court has confirmed that Kenneth Mackay, the Earl of Inchcape, legally owns woodland on his Wiltshire estate and has permanently barred traveller site owner Leeroy Johnstone from entering it. The ruling follows a dispute over Johnstone’s claim to the land and alleged trespassing, tree-felling and fencing; it matters because it settles ownership and keeps an earlier injunction in force.
The court heard that Johnstone said he had bought the woodland from a farmer and threatened to bring 50 people and 15 dogs to confront security guards. The 83-year-old earl spent more than £100,000 on guards, dog handlers and surveillance cameras, according to his lawyers. The judge described Johnstone’s claim to the woodland as completely unfounded.
In short
- The court confirmed the Earl of Inchcape owns the disputed woodland.
- Leeroy Johnstone is permanently barred from entering it.
- The earl spent more than £100,000 on security.
Explained simply
The Earl of Inchcape is Kenneth Mackay, whose estate includes woodland in Wiltshire. Leeroy Johnstone owns a traveller site and claimed he had bought the woodland from a farmer, while Mackay said it belonged to his estate.
The dispute involved allegations of trespassing, tree-felling and fencing. It also led to concerns about a possible confrontation, and the estate spent money on guards and surveillance while the ownership claim was contested.
The case matters because land ownership determines who can control access and manage the woodland. Court decisions can also set clear boundaries when neighbouring land claims are disputed.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Earl wins court fight with traveller site owner who ‘threatened to invade aristocrat’s woods with army of men and dogs saying it was his’”.