A TEENAGER whose name has literally been dragged through the mud over an act of vandalism, wants to clear himself of any involvement.

Tim Brown, 15, from Skelton, near York, found himself framed for criminal damage to a local golf course, when the words "Tim Brown was here" were scrawled across the green.

One of the golf flags was used to dig the phrase into the grass at Skelton Park Golf Club in Shipton Road.

But the owner of the club, and Tim's mum and headteacher have jumped to Tim's defence, backing his strong denial.

Club owner Ricky Pearson-Adams said Tim occasionally played at the club and is completely innocent.

He said: "We know Tim had nothing to do with this malicious act. He's a jolly nice chap, and has been welcomed back since to play golf." Mr Pearson-Adams said that since the original incident - the first act of vandalism at the club for the past five years - three more golf greens have been damaged in a similar way, although no more names have been scrawled.

Tim's parents said he has been extremely upset over the message, and cannot think why anyone would try to frame him.

His mum, Margaret, said: "Everyone who meets him says what a nice lad he is. But this has really thrown him. He always thinks the best of people."

Carey Chadwick, Tim's head teacher at Easingwold School, said: "We fully support him - he's such a smashing boy.

"I offered to give the police a character reference, because there's no way he did it."

Anyone with any information on the vandalism, which occurred late on Saturday, December 1, should contact the police on 01904 631321.

Updated: 10:44 Thursday, December 20, 2001