A 68-year-old man has been ordered to pay more than £4,700 in fines and costs after being caught illegally searching for gold in a protected river in Gwynedd. Brian Wright, from Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire, pleaded guilty to environmental offences at Llandudno Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) reported that Wright was apprehended at the Afon Wen river near Dolgellau during October and December 2024. The regulator described him as a repeat offender, noting he had previously been sentenced for similar violations in May 2022.
Environmental body Natural Resources Wales stated that Wright disturbed the “protected and valued environment” of Coed y Brenin Forest, through which the river flows. Richard Berry from NRW emphasized that illegal gold panning causes significant harm to river habitats and wildlife.
“This case should serve as a reminder that illegal gold panning is not permitted on NRW-managed land and those who ignore the rules may face prosecution,” Berry said.
Gold panning is prohibited on NRW-managed land due to the potential damage to river ecosystems. The organization explained that excavating gravel and removing minerals can disrupt riverbeds and impact habitats critical for wildlife, including spawning fish.
Euros Jones, NRW manager for north-west Wales, told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast that the activity carries a “concerning environmental cost.” He acknowledged that Dolgellau has a long history of gold mining and that the “romance around the gold” attracts individuals to the river despite the small specks of metal found among the gravel.
Honestly, the fines are justified. River ecosystems are fragile, and it’s not fair on taxpayers to clean up after hobbyists.
Panic station! Four thousand pounds for chasing glitter in the mud? I can’t even buy a pint for that.