A farmer who admitted illegally chopping down 2,000 trees could be ordered to pay up to £40,000 as a punishment.
Kerry McKenzie cleared a large wooded area at Drumligair Farm, Newmachar, on February 2 without having planning permission or a felling licence.
He was caught in the act by Forestry Commission officers acting on a tip-off.
Yesterday, McKenzie appeared at Aberdeen Sheriff Court for sentence, having previously admitted illegally cutting down the 15-year-old trees.
The court heard that McKenzie, who runs a butcher’s shop in Aberdeen, had been attempting to clear the land to make way for a solar farm.
He claims the trees he chopped down were not worth anything, but the court heard yesterday that the Forestry Commission has valued them at up to £10,000.
As a result, the sheriff would be entitled to fine him up to four times the value of the felled trees.
A proof in mitigation has now been set to determine the value of the trees and to assess McKenzie’s assets and finances.
The court heard his farm and butcher’s shop were not making any money and he was supporting himself by working offshore.
The court also heard the 44-year-year-old had previously used the area to graze his cattle before he was banned from keeping livestock.
In March this year McKenzie admitted six separate offences relating to the poor treatment of animals.
Aberdeenshire Council, which raised the prosecution, said McKenzie had created a risk of disease to both livestock and humans.
The offences were committed at Greenhead and Old Wood farms at Drumligair and Meadowhead at Dyce between February and March last year.
He admitted failing to feed and care for vulnerable animals, poor disease control, and indiscriminate breeding of livestock at the Aberdeenshire farms.
He also admitted confining cows to buildings without proper drainage and bedding, exposing them to hazardous and sharp objects.
McKenzie, of 3 Corsehill View, Parkhill, Dyce, Aberdeen, admitted similar offences in May 2013.