Vixen Tor has been closed to the public since May 2003

Mary Alford, owner of Vixen Tor at Merrivale, was ordered to pay �6,000 by Plymouth Magistrates on Thursday. Alford, of Moortown Farm, Tavistock, had pleaded not guilty to four charges of cultivating the land around the tor.

She prompted protests from walkers and ramblers when she stopped public access to the tor, allowed by a former owner.

The court heard that she had spread manure and calcified seaweed on the land.

Mrs Alford has previously said she had been recommended by her insurance company to close the tor to the public as she could be liable if anyone was injured while walking or climbing.