CONVICTED (2024) | huntsman Gregory Edward Baker, born 31 October 1980, of Troedythiw, Rhydcymerau, Llandeilo SA19 7PT – for multiple counts of animal cruelty relating to five equines and one foxhound.
Llanelli Magistrates Court found Greg Baker guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to six animals due to prolonged neglect.
Baker, a huntsman most recently with the now defunct Llandeilo Farmers Hunt, failed to investigate or address the poor bodily conditions of the equines, who were given a body condition score of between 0 and 0.5 out of 5. All were suffering from lice infestations and rain scald – a painful condition caused by prolonged exposure to the elements.
One horse – a little Shetland pony – weighed just 60kg when rescued and rapidly gained 20kg once in the care of the RSPCA.
He also failed to provide veterinary care for a foxhound suffering from paraphimosis with associated ulceration and fracture. The dog was in such pain he had to be given methadone.
The court heard that the neglect was so severe that one horse had to be euthanised.
Baker was found guilty of failing to address the equines’ lameness, skin diseases, and malnutrition, as well as neglecting to provide a suitable environment and diet for the animals.
Baker, who was represented by Matthew Paul – a fellow foxhunter and master of the Emlyn Begles, originally pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Despite the seriousness of the offences, magistrates decided not to disqualify Baker from keeping animals. This decision was influenced by an RSPCA visit in July 2023, which noted improvements in the conditions of the horses. The court also considered Baker’s previous good record in animal keeping, the low risk of reoffending as assessed by probation services, and the disproportionate impact a disqualification would have on his dependants.
Chairman of the bench, Mrs Alison Elizabeth Dorothy Evans, stated that the decision to suspend the sentence was due to the prospect of Baker’s rehabilitation and his role as the primary carer for his dependent children and wife, Gemma Baker.
The case highlights the importance of animal welfare and the legal responsibilities of pet owners to ensure their animals’ health and well-being.
Sentencing | 20 weeks in prison, suspended for 24 months; 12-month community order with 150 hours of unpaid work; £2,719.45 costs and £154 victim surcharge. No ban.
CONVICTED (2024) | backyard breeder and serial animal abuser Evan David Bevan, born October 1979, of Pyllau Crynion, Cwmann, Lampeter SA48 8EX – kicked a pony, hit one dog repeatedly with a stick and failed to treat a second dog’s ear injury.
In videos provided anonymously to the RSPCA Bevan, director of Electech Electrics Limited trading as Electech Installations, was shown inflicting physical abuse on a pony known as Tony by kicking him, and beating a mastiff called Lily with a stick. He also failed to provide veterinary care for an ear injury suffered during a fight by German Shepherd Rosie.
Bevan, who was once a landlord for notorious breeders Andrew Bateman and Kelly Busby during the period they were churning out sick and dying puppies and selling them to unsuspecting buyers, pleaded not guilty to the cruelty charges but was convicted after a trial.
All of the offences took place at Bevan’s home address in Cwmann.
Mastiff Lily was traumatised after being hit with a stick repeatedly by ill-tempered brute Evan Bevan
RSPCA deputy chief inspector (DCI) Gemma Cooper told the court she had attended the location seen in the videos with police officers and an animal health officer from Carmarthenshire Council. She recognised Evan Bevan as the male in the footage.
DCI Cooper said: “We asked if we could look at his dogs and he let out of a barn approximately 10 to 15 dogs who almost straight away started to fight amongst each other, one being bitten on her face and causing her to bleed,” she said.
“Evan Bevan stated it was all too much for him and he wasn’t going to breed anymore.
“I asked if he would like help with rehoming the dogs and he said that he only had two he wanted to rehome; a female bull mastiff called Lily and a female chocolate Labrador called Maggie.”
Bevan was asked where a German Shepherd dog called Rosie was and he said he had rehomed her with a rescue centre a couple of days earlier.
DCI Cooper later spoke with the rescue centre who confirmed that he had brought Rosie to them. She was suffering with an old injury to her right ear.
An independent expert veterinary report into the welfare of a group of dogs and a horse was provided to the court in which both videos were examined.
According to the vet, Bevan “kicks the pony with force to the left shoulder” in the first video clip.
The vet added: “The kick was forceful and clearly made contact with the pony that reacted adversely to the kick, indicating that the kick caused pain and hence suffering.” .
In relation to Rosie, who lost a significant portion of her right ear, it was said that “the injury will have caused the dog pain and suffering”.
She sustained the injury during the incident caught on the second video where Bevan was seen in a yard with a large group of dogs all off the lead and running freely around. He is seen swinging a stick in an attempt to hit the Jack Russell and ends up hitting another dog. A fight also erupts between the dogs.
The vet report states: “When Mr Bevan identifies what is going on he walks back across the yard and repeatedly hits the bull mastiff with his stick in an attempt to get the dog to loosen its hold of the German Shepherd dog.
“Mr Bevan persistently hits the dog before eventually getting hold of the mastiff and attempting to pull it free of the German Shepherd dog although he continues hitting at the dog with the stick.”
Victims of Evan Bevan’s cruelty: Rosie and Lily are both recovering from their ordeal in loving new homes
Bevan confirmed that Rosie’s ear injury occurred during the incident. He admitted that he did not seek veterinary attention but instead sprayed the ear with Engemycin spray.
Lily and Maggie, who were placed into RSPCA care, are now in loving new homes.
Rosie, who was in the care of another rescue, has also been rehomed.
Magistrates said they “did not find it necessary to make an order” to disqualify Bevan from keeping pets “after a long and careful consideration” because “the offences date back to 2022” and the number of animals in Bevan’s care “has significantly reduced” because he “is no longer breeding dogs or ponies.”
Magistrates ruled that “the risk to the future welfare of animals in the defendant’s care had significantly reduced.”
Sentencing | 12-week prison sentence, suspended for 24 months; 25-day rehabilitation requirement order; 200 hours of unpaid work; £1,000 in costs and a victim surcharge. No ban on keeping animals was imposed.
CONVICTED (2024) | Stephanie Sinclaire, born c. 1956, of Stour Hill, Brierley Hill DY5 – kept 13 sick and neglected pets inside her filthy home.
Animal hoarder Sinclaire kept eight cats and five dogs in a foul environment, surrounded by a build-up of faeces and urine. One of the dogs was in such poor condition that he had to be put down.
There was no clean water source available and no comfortable bedding for resting.
Some of the animals were found in small crates with no litter trays or heavily soiled litter trays and all had urine and faecal soiling to their coats.
The dogs were found to be suffering with a variety of health conditions including fleas, skin lesions, dental disease and eye discharge.
Four of the five dogs and all eight of the cats were underweight because of a lack of food.
The vet who examined the animals said they would have been suffering unnecessarily for weeks due to poor body condition and the associated feelings of weakness and hunger.
Two dogs, Sykes and Ozzy, had lesions on their skin due to pressure from inappropriate housing and prolonged contact with urine and faeces causing scalding to the skin.
The vet said Ozzy would have suffered unnecessarily for a number of weeks due to pain associated with severe spondylosis – a painful condition of the spine resulting from the degeneration of the intervertebral discs – affecting multiple regions of his spine.
As a result of these spinal issues he developed painful urine scald and pressure sores affecting his limbs.
In their report, the vet said: “This unnecessary suffering could have been avoided by seeking veterinary treatment, including pain relief and by providing an appropriate environment that would have prevented Ozzy from lying in his own urine and faeces.”
Sadly Ozzy had to be put to sleep by vets because of the severity of his condition.
The other animals, who have been in RSPCA care since their rescue, can now be found new homes after Sinclaire was also deprived of ownership when she was sentenced.
Sinclaire admitted four animal welfare offences following an investigation and prosecution by the RSPCA.
RSPCA Inspector Ben Jones said: “Our plea to all animal owners is to make sure they always receive care and treatment they need.
“Animals are completely reliant on their owners to ensure their needs are met and they are kept safe and healthy.”
Sentencing | 26-week custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months; 15 days of rehabilitation; £400 costs. Disqualified from keeping animals for 10 years.
CONVICTED (2024) | Aled Wyn Roberts, born 6 May 1991, most recently of High Street, Tywyn, but originally from Pwlhelli, Caernarfonshire – beat a puppy before choking him to death after the ‘novelty’ of owning a dog wore off.
Roberts admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a black collie called Twm by inflicting blunt force trauma and violence including strangulation.
Prosecuting counsel Gareth Bellis said Roberts was described by a friend as having a history of failing to care properly for animals. He would leave them in cages and forget about them at his dirty and grubby flat. Roberts didn’t know a hamster was dead in a cage.
He had also allegedly smacked his cats.
Details of Aled Roberts’ horrific cruelty towards a defenceless puppy were shared across social media with one animal lover starting a petition to demand justiceSome disturbing allegations were made about both Roberts himself as well as his mother
Mr Bellis said, during a video call with a woman in April 2023, Roberts had complained about the behaviour of his five-month-old border collie.
“The dog was crying in its crate,” the prosecutor said.
The defendant appeared to hit the dog forcefully with his hand. He’d also been witnessed kicking and punching the dog.
The same morning the friend had received another call and grinning Roberts said the dog was dead.
Twm’s body was taken to a vet where Roberts told a receptionist he didn’t know how the pet had died.
Roberts had previously attempted to choke a cat with a headphone lead and screamed at a budgie and refused to feed it, the court heard.
Jailing him for 18 months Judge Timothy Petts at Caernarfon crown court banned him for life from owning any animal.
The judge told Roberts that after acquiring the puppy “you clearly had no idea how to look after him properly. The novelty had worn off.
“You went from neglect to being cruel and violent towards him,” Judge Petts added.
Eventually Twm had been strangled with a chain.
“The suffering he sustained must have been considerable,” the judge said. A post-mortem examination showed internal injuries to the “defenceless” puppy including fractured ribs.
Roberts’ lawyer said his client’s “mental health problems” had led to the sad situation and had urged the judge to consider a suspended sentence.
CONVICTED (2024) | Lynn Haydon-Williams, born 6 April 1960, of Redgate, Hyde SK14 5DE, and Charlotte Haydon-Williams, born 17 November 1988, of Cheetham Fold Road, Hyde SK14 5DF – for the neglect of multiple animals in the care of their sanctuary.
Mother and daughter Lynn and Charlotte Haydon-Williams were found guilty of a number of offences following a trial on Thursday, March 28, 2024.
The court heard how neglected horses, including one suffering with multiple tumours, lame goats, pigs with hoof problems and an arthritic coatimundi were found at the Haywill Animal Centre by the RSPCA.
During 2020 and 2021, the RSPCA identified animal welfare concerns at sites in Glossop, Derbyshire and Broadbottom in Manchester.
The RSPCA had visited the rescue on previous occasions during which they had offered support and advice to the founder/owner Lynn Haydon-Williams.
In a statement read to the court RSPCA inspector Jessica Araujo said she recalled attending the centre on May 11, 2021, when she saw “goats with overgrown feet that were struggling to walk normally, grossly obese pigs, a coati that appeared to have small masses on its underside and a horse with overgrown feet”.
Inspector Araujo continued: “I saw a number of large goats with overgrown hooves that appeared to have difficulty walking normally or walking at all. There was also a black pygmy goat who looked quite thin and you could feel his spine and hips when you put your hands on him.”
Among the animals taken into the care of the RSPCA was Gemma, a grey bay mare, who was covered in skin tumours. A vet later decided that the kindest course of action was to put her to sleep to end her suffering.
Another horse, called Casper, who was suffering from laminitis was also, sadly, put to sleep, as was a pot-bellied pig, who was suffering from overgrown feet.
An emaciated pygmy goat and the coatimundi, who was in poor health, passed away later.
Several of the horses required treatment for foot and hoof ailments.
In mitigation for Lynn Haydon-Williams, the court was told she previously did “a lot of good work for many people for a long time”. It was said that Covid impacted the rescue’s finances and lessened her ability to look after the animals. It was said that she had not deliberately mistreated the animals.
The court heard that Charlotte Haydon-Williams suffered from health problems which affected her care of the horse. The court accepted she was not responsible for the care of the other animals.
Lynn Haydon-Williams initially pleaded not guilty to 15 charges, but she was convicted of 13 offences after a trial.
Charlotte Haydon-Williams pleaded not guilty to the same 15 charges and was convicted of three offences relating to the care of a horse. It was ruled she had no case to answer on the remaining 12 charges.
The surviving animals – a horse and 10 goats – will be rehomed by the RSPCA.
Speaking after the sentencing, Inspector Araujo said: “This owner was given ample time and opportunity to get the help she needed to give these animals the veterinary care and treatment they needed. Sadly, she did not take action and the animals suffered for longer than they had to.”
Sentencing | Lynn Haydon-Williams: six-month custodial suspended for 18 months; 240 hours of unpaid work; £240 costs and £156 victim surcharge. She was given a lifetime disqualification from keeping animals except for dogs and cats.
Charlotte Haydon-Williams: 12-month community order; fined £1,500 and ordered to pay £1,000 costs and £114 victim surcharge. Banned from keeping horses for three years (expires March 2027).
CONVICTED (2024) | Bryan Owens and previous offender Katrina Bernadette Elstob of 48 Fox Avenue, South Shields NE34 9RN – failed to address their pets’ health conditions and weight loss.
Elstob, who was previously banned from owning animals, and partner Bryan Owens admitted cruelty to an elderly Jack Russell called Jack and a cat named Jess. Jack was in poor bodily condition, suffering skin inflammation and dental disease and was infested with fleas, while Jess had an untreated skin condition.
RSPCA Inspector Trevor Walker visited the couple in September 2023 and was immediately concerned about the poor condition of Jack and Jess.
Jack was dehydrated after being denied water and had a number of untreated health conditions
In his witness statement he said: “I observed an aged and very lean, Jack Russell Terrier type dog, that would have been described as tri-coloured at one stage, but now appeared more yellow possibly due to a heavy flea burden and his age.
“The cat, a medium long haired brown cat appeared in better condition, but once I had picked him up I could feel the very scabby skin under his medium long haired coat.”
RSPCA Inspector Walker transported Jack and Jess to a vet for further examination.
Jess had a severe skin condition, which had not been addressed by her cruel owners
Inspector Walker continued in his witness statement: “Arriving at the door to the vet’s surgery, I noticed [Jack] was lapping the rain water that had collected on the top of the drainage cover, indicating that he was dehydrated.
“This condition was confirmed inside the consultation room when he drank from a bowl of fresh water for an entire minute, before it was removed.”
The vet said in their witness statement about Jack the dog: “There were four main concerns which included a very poor body condition score, which would have likely been present for at least a few months, a heavy flea infestation, secondary skin inflammation and severe dental disease.
“Based on the examination and the further test results; Jack had experienced unnecessary and avoidable suffering.”
Following the case, Jack and Jess were officially signed over to the care of RSPCA, where staff will now look to find them both loving new homes.
Sentencing | Elstob – ordered to pay a fine of £164, a £66 victim surcharge and £250 in costs. Owens -ordered to pay a fine of £80, a £32 victim surcharge and £250 in costs. Both were given a seven year ban on owning all animals, with no appeal for five years (expires April 2031).
CONVICTED (2024) | wildlife killers Thomas Graham Michael Lloyd, born 28 December 1986, of Slaidburn Drive, Lancaster LA1 4QX; Jay Stuart Jones born 5 March 1987, of Barley Cop Lane, Lancaster LA1 2PP; and Steven Dixon, born 9 November 1983 of 63 Keswick Road, Lancaster LA1 3LF – for sadistic cruelty towards multiple deer and at least one badger.
Tom Lloyd (left) and Jay Jones were both sent to prison for serious wildlife offences
The sadistic trio were all convicted of a range of wildlife offences, including cutting a deer’s throat and restraining a deer to enable dogs to attack it.
Tom Lloyd was the ringleader of the sick gang of criminals
Tom Lloyd pleaded guilty to four offences of causing unnecessary suffering to deer and a badger, with videos showing the deer’s neck being stood on to enable dogs to attack the animal, and the deer’s throat being cut repeatedly. He was sentenced to 33 months in prison and was disqualified from keeping dogs for life.
Jay Jones pleaded guilty to one offence of causing unnecessary suffering to a deer by restraining the animal to allow dogs to attack it. He was sentenced to 12 months in prison and was disqualified from keeping dogs for six years.
Steven Dixon pleaded guilty to one offence of causing unnecessary suffering to a deer by repeatedly cutting its throat. He was sentenced to 17 months in prison which was suspended for 12 months. He was also ordered to complete 20 rehabilitation days, a six-month mental health programme and 100 hours of unpaid work.
One man was caught on camera slashing a terrified deer’s throatOther videos showed dogs being set upon a badger and a deer
In February 2022, Lancashire Police seized a mobile phone from Jay Jones which revealed videos showing wildlife offences and the RSPCA were called to assist.
The charity’s Special Operations Unit (SOU) worked with police who executed warrants at premises occupied by all three defendants in May 2022.
Two dogs of the four seized from backyard breeders Tom Lloyd and Jay Jones were pregnant
Four dogs were seized: a black lurcher called Hector and a tan and white lurcher, called Chanelle from Lloyd; and a dark brindle lurcher, called Blaze, and a grey merle lurcher, called Dixie, from Jones.
Dixie and Chanelle were both pregnant and had puppies in the RSPCA’s care.
A number of videos showed the cruelty inflicted on deer and a badger.
A written statement, presented to the court in an expert witness report said: “The videos presented have been produced in darkness with the use of a lamp to illuminate the activity of a number of lurcher type dogs pursuing and attacking deer and a badger.
“Two videos indicate a male person to have repeatedly stabbed and cut the skin of the animal’s neck causing further suffering via the mechanism of pain while already being attacked by dogs.”
In one of the videos, Lloyd, who is filming, says: ‘Here we are lads, got a stag’, and shows a deer that has been caught being attacked by dogs.
Later in the video, one of the men can be seen holding the deer’s head while he cuts its throat with a knife.
RSPCA SOU officer Jason Bowles, who led the investigation, said, after sentencing: “We investigate some horrific cases and, sadly, see animals suffering truly gruesome acts at the hands of people.
“The videos in this case are yet another example of the barbaric torture that we regularly see being inflicted upon wildlife we should all be trying to protect and help.
“Sadly, people who enjoy these hideous pastimes continue to offend across the picturesque, rural countryside of England and Wales. “But the RSPCA will not rest in bringing people like these to justice.”
Tom Lloyd’s feral offspring are doomed to turn out just like their evil father
Sergeant James Pinder, who led the warrants and searches for Lancashire Police, said: “The guilty pleas in this case were entered/im after a two year-long, detailed investigation by the RSPCA and Lancashire Police’s West Division Rural Task Force. I’d firstly like to praise the thoroughness and tenacity of those investigators.
“The extremely graphic nature of the many videos recovered shocked all who worked on the case.
“I welcome the sentences imposed and hope they send a clear message to those people who would seek to commit similar offences. “I would encourage anyone with information about the illegal persecution of wildlife to report it by calling 1010, or anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Blaze, Chanelle (and her nine puppies), and Dixie (plus her seven puppies) can all now be rehomed.
Hector will remain in RSPCA care subject to a further court hearing regarding his ownership.
CONVICTED (2024) | petting farm owners Alan Riley, born c. 1970, and Sarah Nethercoat, born 14 July 1989, of Park Avenue, Beverley HU17 7AT – neglected a donkey and pony until they became so unwell they had to be put down.
Melody, a 30-year-old pony, and Maggie, a 15-year-old grey donkey, were among the animals neglected by Alan Riley and Sarah Nethercoat, owners of Aroha Donkeys rescue centre and sanctuary, at Ashfield Farm in Wilfholme, between Beverley and Driffield. Both were so emaciated and distressed that vets had no option but to euthanise them.
In court the couple admitted causing unnecessary suffering to the animals in 2021.
Aroha Donkeys was run as a business, which initially cared for donkeys used in beach rides but expanded to become a breeding and training centre. A total of 20 donkeys were kept at the centre as well as goats and ponies.
The RSPCA first became involved with the couple in July 2019, when a welfare officer advised them to provide the donkeys with shelter. Riley and Nethercoat insisted that a hedge in the field provided sufficient shelter for the animals. They also claimed that the donkeys received regular hoof and dental care.
The RSPCA issued them with a non-statutory improvement notice. Follow-up attempts to contact the pair were unsuccessful.
On a subsequent visit, officers found dirty bedding full of faeces. A shelter was too small for the number of animals using the centre.
In November 2021, RSPCA inspectors Tom Hutton and Alice Wilson along with staff from the Donkey Sanctuary charity, paid a visit to Ashfield Farm where they found around 25 horses and donkeys, owned by the pair, living in poor conditions in a field and barn.
Inspectors found poor quality fencing. A shelter area was made of corrugated iron, which was described as “rusty and dangerous”,
Inspector Hutton said in a statement presented to the court that there were concerns for the health of four animals, in particular Maggie and Melody.
“There were around 23 equines in a large paddock and an open barn with a thick straw bedding with excessive faeces inside,” said the inspector.
“As I walked around the field, there were several hazards littering the perimeter, including bits of loose wire, fallen fencing and loose fence posts.
“One small pony was extremely underweight as it walked across the field towards us with her head down. Her ribs and hip bones were excessively prominent.”
“The owners said they were providing feed. But there was now evidence the animals were in a sub-optimal condition,” he added.
Elderly pony Melody (pictured) was suffering with two large wounds and one small one to her side. These had been left untreated for weeks if not months
Vet Suzanne Green attended the scene and found Melody in a weak, thin and lethargic state, with a wound to the side shoulder and a second large wound on one of her thighs.
They were inflamed and bleeding and in the vet’s expert opinion they had been left untreated for weeks, if not months.
Nethercoat told the vet that the wound had been treated for about six months with antibiotics. No evidence was provided to substantiate the treatment.
Melody and Maggie and the two other horses were removed from the field, with Melody later transferred to an equine hospital for treatment.
Prosecutor Phil Brown told the court: “Melody needed urgent treatment for overgrown hooves as there had been a lack of hoof care. There was pain and suffering.
“Euthanasia was the only way to ease the suffering,
“They also found ulcerations to the mouth which had made eating difficult.”
Pregnant donkey Maggie required urgent treatment to her hooves. X-rays taken later showed that the failure to provide hoof care had caused malformed bone structures within her feet and osteoarthritis.
She had bonded with another donkey who was earlier found dead in a field.
Maggie gave birth before she too was put down in February 2024.
Riley’s lawyer, Matthew Moore-Taylor, told the court his client had an acute bowel condition, which caused a serious reduction in his weight. Before 2021, all the animals in the centre were in good condition, he added.
For Nethercoat, Sheila Whitehead said: “She needed more help than she admitted. People came to her with wild animals for care. She has always allowed the animals to come to her irrespective of the condition they were in..”
The pony was old. so certain treatments could not be done, Miss Whitehead said. “She was very upset it had got to the level that it had.
“She is remorseful that it got to the position that it had,” she added.
It was claimed that any money raised at the donkey sanctuary was ploughed back into the centre for feed and care.
Sentencing the pair, Recorder MacDonald KC said he had read testimonials highlighting their care for animals.
“But you don’t have to be an expert to see that the pony had three significant injuries, ribs sticking out and was malnourished and you could see it needed veterinary treatment,” he added.
“It is perfectly clear to me, being a non-veterinary person, its ribs were poking out and it had a large wound on the shoulder and the thigh was bleeding. These injuries had been there for weeks or months. It was chronically mal-nourished.”
Recorder MacDonald said that he did not view the petting farm as a money-making venture. He accepted that both defendants had health problems and it was this that caused neglect of the animals, rather than a cynical disregard for the animals’ care to make money.
“These were just two of a much larger number of animals which were generally in good condition,” Recorder MacDonald added.
Speaking after the sentencing, RSPCA inspector Tom Hutton said: “This was a clear case of neglect. Both these equines were left in appalling conditions when they needed urgent vet treatment and one sadly had to be put to sleep because she was so unwell.”
Riley, a former farmer, and Nethercoat, who worked as a riding instructor, were well-known in the area as their donkeys, many of whom were rescue animals, took part in events such as the Beverley Christmas Festival.
In 2021 they were given sudden notice to leave a smallholding between Beverley and Driffield they had been renting from a farmer and appealed for the public’s help in finding a new home.
Sentencing | six-month custodial, suspended for two years; 25 rehabilitation days. No order for costs was imposed because the petting farm was not making money. Both are disqualified from keeping donkeys, mules and equine hybrids for 10 years.
CONVICTED (2023) | sadistic Daniel Taylor, born c. 1992, of 99 Shrewsbury Road, Manton, Worksop S89 2TX – tortured, killed and mutilated more than 100 deer, foxes, badgers and pigeons.
A police search of the home Daniel Taylor shares with company director wife Georgina Ruth Taylor, née Georgina Brigham, revealed over 100 graphic phone videos and images which showed him attacking, decapitating and encouraging his dogs to fight and kill wildlife.
Prosecutor Lucy Woodcock told the court: “In some videos he is seen dissecting the animals and ripping internal organs out”.
Officers also found 15 deer heads and 14 fox tails, as well as snares and weapons.
Police found a shocking hoard of deer skulls, fox tails and weapons at Daniel Taylor’s family home
A blood-stained quad bike and lamping equipment were also recovered.
Police arrested Taylor, confiscated his phone and removed his dogs from the house as part of the investigation.
Officers were able to map the images and videos on his phone to specific locations.
PC Mark Holland, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “From this we were able to prove when and where most of the animals were killed and link this evidence in with several reports of poaching.
“We also received intelligence which helped establish Taylor was in areas at the relevant times.”
PC Ben Harrison said: “At the back of Taylor’s premises we found what was essentially a slaughterhouse for animals.
“Taylor clearly took pleasure out of his dogs torturing these animals.
“They were clearly being trained to get hold of these animals and rip them to shreds.
“The videos were gruesome and the sounds of the animals squealing in pain were horrible.
“In one particular video, while Taylor was filming one of these acts, he dropped his phone and it flipped over. He bent over to pick it up and it captured a full face shot of him. There was no question over who was doing the filming or who was the owner of these videos.”
The court heard Taylor had played a leading role in “sadistic behaviour” which was “prolonged and repeated” between August 2021 and February 2023.
Sentencing Taylor, Judge Mark Watson told him: “These offences cannot in any way be described as sport. This was a barbaric hobby of yours.
“This was planned activity by you and you clearly revelled in the suffering of these animals.
“You encouraged your dogs to attack these animals with ferocity and they suffered immeasurably.
“These were prolonged and repeated incidents of serious cruelty and examples of sadistic behaviour.”
Sentencing | jailed for two years and eight months. Banned from owning, keeping or participating in keeping dogs for at least seven years
CONVICTED (2024) | James Baker, born April 1969, Sarah Jayne Baker (aka Sarah Jayne Baker-Ryan), born December 1990, both of 4 William West Road, Par PL24 2GA and Darren Laker, born c. 1977, also from Par – starved and neglected horses, ponies, a donkey and a goat at their equine therapy centre.
Sarah Jayne Baker and husband James Baker faced multiple counts of cruelty in relation to animals in their care
In what was described as one of the worst cases of animal neglect in Cornwall’s history, married couple James and Sarah Baker and their stable hand Darren Laker admitted cruelty charges in relation to multiple animals.
Concerns were raised by a member of the public when some animals were seen malnourished and in a poor state
The Bakers ran a community interest company called Family Nest Equine Therapy, now dissolved, which ran pony parties, riding lessons and therapy for veterans. The equine centre was latterly based near Driving Lane, Par.
Darren Laker
Francesca Whebell, prosecuting, on behalf of the RSPCA, said that the Bakers were first warned to improve the living conditions for the animals in their care while they ran the charity in Holsworthy, Devon, back in 2020. When the couple sold up the land following an alleged neighbourly dispute, they moved to Par in a rush with dozens of horses, donkeys, and other animals.
Ms Whebell told the court that RSPCA inspectors visited them again at the site in Par in 2022 and continued to express strong concerns about failings in animal welfare. She said some of the animals had no shade, no shelter, mouldy hay or no food and often little to no access to water.
She said that some of the animals had untreated wounds and were lame and had to be taken to a vet for immediate treatment.
One horse was found dead in a field. Horses and other animals were emaciated, thin, and visibly malnourished.
Ms Whebell told the court that when RSPCA inspectors turned up the Bakers never took responsibility for the neglect they inflicted on the animals. The Bakers told shocked inspectors that “when you have livestock you sometimes have dead stock”.
She said: “There has been a complete disregard for animal welfare. Some of the animals had been suffering for months.”
Ramsay Quaife, defending Laker, said his client apologised for his involvement.
Sarah Baker aka Sarah Jayne Baker-Ryan or just Sarah Ryan
Sarah Baker, who was unrepresented, told the court that many of the animals had been “dumped on them”. She said when they had to uproot and move to Par, many of the owners no longer wanted them.
She said: “We tried our hardest to get these animals back to health. But we were not given a chance. It was too much hard work for us. I wish I had contacted the RSPCA much sooner.”
She told the court that Family Nest had done a lot of good over the years, providing horse therapy to both veterans, her husband being a veteran too, as well as children with special needs. The CIC had been featured on ITV South West.
Mrs Baker added: “I welcome the ban. I’m sad that it has taken this long to get to this point. We’re tired. We don’t want anything to do with horses anymore. We don’t want to go near or ride a horse ever again. The last few years have been hell for us.”
When Judge Simon Carr noted that she had not shown an ounce of remorse Sarah Baker said she was “more sorry than I could ever be. That’s why I’m so exhausted. I took every course I could to help the animals and the future of the yard. I welcome the ban. I don’t want to think of having animals in my care again. I don’t ever want to be responsible for an animal ever again.”
The Bakers, who run SJ’s Coffee House in Eastcliffe Road, Par, told the court they had no way of paying for the £77,000 the prosecution was asking for the care of the animals, as well as legal fees, as they have no money.
Sentencing the trio, Judge Carr said it was one of the worst cases of animal neglect he had seen.
“They would have been in agony, not only from wounds but also malnutrition,” he said.
“There is no excuse for what you both did.”
Sentencing |
The Bakers were jailed for nine months for each count, suspended for two years. Disqualified from owning any animal for life.
Laker was given a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for two years. Disqualified from owning an equine for 10 years.
