A GRADE II listed stone marking the site of a gruesome murder which shocked the Yorkshire Dales has been destroyed in a crash.

Farmer Peter Fall is appealing for information to try and find out what happened after he found the Murder Stone in pieces.

The stone lies at the side of the main A684 road near Akebar, between Bedale and Leyburn, and bears the inscription 19 May 1826, Do No Murder. It was put up on the site where local farmer, 56-year-old Nicholas Carter was mugged and murdered.

He had been travelling home from Leyburn Market with a pocket full of money when farm labourer Leonard Wilkinson, 22, struck with a wooden rail, knocking him from his horse and beating him around the head.

Mr Carter was found but died within hours from his injuries. Wilkinson went on a spending spree settling debts around the area. He was tracked down by justice of the peace and local landowner Marmaduke Wyvill but denied the charge when he appeared at York Assizes.

An account of the Life and Trial of Leonard Wilkinson says: "After condemnation he became penitent and confirmed that he alone committed the murder.

“He had maintained the greatest firmness during his trial but a change in his deportment was very visible. As he passed to the condemned cell he became more dejected his stoop less firm and his eye appeared moist with the starting tear.”

It had been thought the Murder Stone was put up by the victim's wife, but it’s now believed it was erected by Marmaduke Wyvill as a warning.

Mr Fall fears the stone may be beyond repair. He lives at Grazing Nook farm, near the site of the murder, and where the first person to find stricken Nicholas Carter called for help.

“It’s been such a big part of my life, we’ve always been interested in the history of the stone and the story," he said. "We believe it happened on Wednesday or Thursday night, originally we thought maybe a recovery vehicle came to get the car and caused the damage to the stone, but now we think the car may have hit it side on.

"It would have been badly damaged, there was glass for around eight metres and silver paint, we just want to hear from anyone who knows what happened.

“I am devastated because it’s such a well known landmark, I have contacted the council and the police but we understand English Heritage is responsible for the stone, so it will be up to them what happens.”

Mr Fall said because it is a local landmark it is crucial the stone is repaired or replaced. He is calling on anyone with information about the crash to contact him on 01677 450635.