AN artist who sabotaged Olympics preparations has failed in a bid to have his grievances aired in court.

Edward Hill, 62, of Foyle Road, Blackheath, took a knife to Greenwich Park in September where he cut the white markers used to show where the 2012 equestrian events will take place.

He explained: “I went around the course early in the morning. When I got to I end I basically met up with the park manager who was waiting for me there.

“We had a discussion and I pointed out to him that I thought what was going on was criminal damage.

“He pointed out that what I was doing was criminal damage and we had a disagreement.”

Mr Hill was arrested and eventually charged with criminal damage and possession of a bladed article, charges which were dropped last week.

The former artist in residence for the park had pleaded not guilty and planned to represent himself in a Woolwich Crown Court trial so his complaints about the “outrageous” Olympics preparations could be heard.

He said: “It’s an extraordinary situation we’ve got and everyone’s going along with it which is really the reason why I took direct action.

“I thought that was the only option to me. There was nothing else democratically to do.”

He said: “I know the park as well as anyone. I’ve organised an exhibition on it, I’ve taken pictures there and I’ve walked across it for years.

“Olympics organisers said nothing should start until they’ve agreed how they’d put the park back into the condition they found it.

“But it’s very beautiful grassland which they’re just stripping off. This isn’t something we can just put back.”

He added: “My family is relieved because you never know with these things, it could have cost an arm or a leg. But in a way it’s a risk that I felt I had to take.”

A spokesman for Olympic organisers Locog said: "We're not doing anything we don't have permission for."