Nicholas John Carlton charged in Bowen Magistrates Court with unlawfully entering farm land

A change of ownership for a piece of land in Scottville has led to a change of rules, with a bogged 4WD driver landing in court after assuming he was free to drive through.

Nicholas John Carlton faced Bowen Magistrates Court on 7 January 2025 charged with unlawfully entering farm land in Scottville.

A man has been charged after getting bogged on a private property that recently stopped allowing access to the public for four wheel driving.

Nicholas John Carlton faced Bowen Magistrates Court on Monday charged with unlawfully entering farm land in Scottville.

Cleo Rewald from Richards Rewald Lawyers appeared as duty lawyer in the matter saying while it was evident the current owner was not allowing people to come on to the property, that was not always the case.

“I understand for many years the previous owner, the deceased Mr Wilkinson, has allowed people to traverse the property, four wheel driving,” she said.

At around 6pm on 19 December, 2024, police arrived at the Pelican Creek Farmer Road property following reports from a neighbour that unknown persons were on the land.

Carlton was located around 50 metres from the road with a bogged four wheel drive, along with his wife and brother who had come to assist him to remove the car.

Carlton told police he had received permission to use the land for off-road driving whenever he wanted a few weeks prior.

The land owner, Terrance Wilkinson, said the matter had not been discussed with him and he had given no such permission. At the time of the alleged conversation the land belonged to his late uncle.

Magistrate Nigel Rees said the decision was up to the current owner as to who was allowed on the property.

“Change of ownership, change of rules,” he said.

“I’m sure the message will be sent out in the community.”

Carlton plead guilty to the charge and was fined $450, no conviction was recorded.