Category Archives: Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports

Badger baiting, hunting with dogs, foxhunting, hare coursing, animal fighting – ‘sports’ of the depraved

Dogs, hare coursing, hunting with dogs, Organised Animal Crime, Traveller Animal Crimes, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports

Morecambe, Lancashire / Bolton, Greater Manchester: George Miller and Lewis Sheridan

May 4, 2024 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2024) | hare coursers George William Miller, born July 1991, of Loupsfell Drive, Morecambe LA4 4SB and Lewis Sheridan, born 21 October 1986, of 128 Thicketford Road, Bolton BL2 2LU

Prosecution of hare coursers Lewis Sheridan from Bolton, Greater Manchester, and George Miller from Morecambe, Lancs

The pair were seen hare coursing near the Lincolnshire villages of Twenty and West Pinchbeck on Friday 13 October 2023. They were spotted walking across arable land with their two long dogs. The dogs -one beige in colour and the other black – were seen chasing and catching hares.

The men had arrived in the area in a silver Skoda car which they had left near to a farm in the area. They had tried to hide the car behind some foliage.

On arriving back at the car, the men were challenged by the local farmer who had tried to block the car in with farm machinery. In a bid to escape, the Skoda was driven at speed across grassed areas and onto the A151.

Sheridan and Miller were arrested when their car was seen and stopped by officers from Lincolnshire Police’s Rural Crime Action Team (RCAT), around an hour later.

The men’s car was seized along with the two dogs and equipment including three thermal cameras, a video camera and four mobile phones.

Information obtained from the recording devices and mobile phones pinpointed the men’s unlawful activities and provided evidence of their offending.

During interview the men lied that they had the landowner’s permission to undertake pest control in the area.

On 1 May 2024 Sheridan and Miller pleaded guilty to hunting a wild mammal with a dog, contrary to Schedule 1 of the Hunting Act 2004.

Both men relinquished ownership of their dogs who have subsequently been rehomed.

Sentencing | 10-year Criminal Behaviour Orders banning them from entering onto any private land in Lincolnshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire or Nottinghamshire during hare coursing season (31 July to 30 April) with a sighthound, ground, long dog, lurcher type dog or crossbreed or be in the company of any other people with that type of dog. Ordered to pay a total of £4,575.50 in full by 30 May 2024.

Lincs Police
LincolnshireLive

Additional Information

George Miller, who’s originally from Lancaster (Slyne Road) with links to Heysham, has a roofing company called Lancashire and Cumbria Roofing Ltd.

In March 2021 Miller received a three-year ban on breeding and selling dogs after being convicted of illegally trading puppies. He was prosecuted by Animal Protection Services following their investigation into his activities.

Lewis Sheridan is also a roofer. His wife runs a dog grooming company called Your Faithful Friend Limited, which operates from premises on Bury Road, Bolton BL2 6BB.

Dogs, hare coursing, hunting with dogs, Organised Animal Crime, Traveller Animal Crimes, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports

Doncaster Hare Coursing Gang: Eugene Meenaghan, Joe Murtagh, Jay Poole, Jake Reidy

April 28, 2024 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2024) | Eugene Meenaghan, born 10 February 2001, of 43 Crabgate Lane, Skellow, Doncaster DN6 8LE, Joseph Murtagh, born December 2001, from Woodlands, Doncaster, Jay Poole born 2 April 2004, of 3 The Circuit, Woodlands, Doncaster DN6 7TE, and Jake Reidy, born 23 May 2005, of 58 Princess Avenue, Stainforth, Doncaster DN7 5QY – for the possession of hare coursing equipment and destroying a farmer’s field.

The four men, who are all prolific wildlife persecutors, travelled from Doncaster to the hamlet of Apley, near Wragby, East Lindsey, Lincolnshire, in the early hours of 1 October 2023. They then drove through a farmer’s field, damaging the land and destroying crops, before attempting to leave the area.

Eugene Meenaghan

The crime was reported to Lincolnshire Police and patrolling officers from Spec Ops quickly identified the vehicle and stopped the group near Burton Waters.

Officers found longdogs and equipment such as lamps – used in lamping to stun wild animals before dogs are set loose.

They were arrested and subsequently videos of animal fights were found on their phones.

All four men were charged with being equipped to hare course, breach of section nine of the animal welfare act and criminal damage. They pleaded guilty to these charges.

On Thursday 25 April 2024 officials at Lincoln Magistrates’ Court told the group to pay out a combined total of £19,791.72 in costs and compensation.

Eugene Meenaghan will pay £5,262,93.
Joseph Murtagh will pay £4,842.93.
Jay Poole will pay £4,842.93.
Jake Reidy will pay £4,842.93.

Magistrates described the crimes as ‘cruel and despicable’ and said the events of that night had ‘caused great distress’.

This result comes after a lengthy police investigation and PC Karen Irving, who works for the rural crime action team, insists this behaviour won’t be tolerated.

She said: “We are determined to make Lincolnshire the safest place to live, work and visit. This result shows we will use all avenues available to us to bring people to justice and protect our communities and wildlife.

Sentencing | costs and compensation; 10-year criminal behaviour order not to enter Lincolnshire with longdogs; 100 hours of community service. Forfeiture of mobile phones and lamping equipment. Disqualified from keeping dogs for 10 years..

Lincs Police
Lincolnshire World

bird trapping, Birds, Small Furries, Traveller Animal Crimes, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports

Compton, Wolverhampton: Richard Orton

April 27, 2024 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2024) | Richard Robin Orton, born 27 September 1985, of Westland Road, Compton, Wolverhampton WV3 9NY – trapped wild birds and kept them in squalid conditions in his garden.

RSPCA prosecution of wildlife persecutor Richard Orton from Wolverhampton, who trapped wild birds in his garden.

Prolific wildlife persecutor Orton used Larsen traps in his back garden to ‘trap and kill magpies’.

RSPCA inspectors visited Orton’s home after being contacted by members of the public with concerns about the welfare of birds kept in traps in his garden and found two magpies in shocking conditions.

One was housed within a wire cage with access to only half of the cage. There was only a small amount of ‘very dirty water’ present and no food the bird could access.

There was a ‘significant amount of faeces’ within the cage and it was ‘extremely foul smelling’.

In the section of the cage the bird could not access, there was what looked like a piece of rabbit skin present. The bird was in ‘poor physical condition with the breast bone prominent and muscle loss’.

The second magpie, which a vet concluded was ‘even thinner than the first’ with no fat covering and a loss of muscle, was housed within a wood and chicken wire cage with access to only half of the cage.

There was some dirty water present, which was green in colour, and there was no food present in the area of the cage the bird could access. Again, there was a ‘significant amount of faeces within the cage and it was extremely foul smelling’.

A vet’s report said: “Both birds would have suffered unnecessarily for a minimum of two weeks but in reality likely longer. They did not have their welfare needs met due to the failure to provide an appropriate environment.

“From the amount of faeces observed within the traps, it is my opinion that no cleaning or removal of droppings had occurred within the previous four weeks, but likely a considerably longer period of time. It must be stressful and distressing to-be-living-in-the-same area as you pass faeces with no-way to remove yourself from these conditions.”

RSPCA Inspector Ben Jones, who investigated Romany gypsy Orton, said: “Every year the RSPCA receives many calls from the public concerned about the use of Larsen traps to capture wild birds.

“Larsen traps can be made of wood or metal and contain two or three compartments to allow the use of a live decoy bird, like a magpie, to attract other magpies in defence of their territory.

“Although such traps are legal, strict controls relate to their use. If these are breached – and it is easy to do so – the trap setter loses the legal protection of a general licence for trapping and killing magpies and could face being prosecuted.”

He continued: “People who trap magpies could leave themselves open to prosecution should they infringe any one of a number of strict conditions relating to the use of Larsen traps. Trap setters have to provide the decoy bird with food, water, shelter and a perch and inspect the trap every 24 hours.

“Sadly there is great potential for suffering of wild birds in being contained in cramped, unsuitable spaces, as we’ve seen here with the two birds found in Orton’s possession.”

Following his conviction under the Animal Welfare Act, Orton, who is originally from Tipton and has links to Rowley Regis, can no longer use Natural England’s general licences.

The magpies were both released back into the wild.

Sentencing | ordered to pay £312. Banned from keeping birds and ferrets for five years (expires April 2029).

BirminghamLive

animal fighting / baiting, deer, Dogs, hunting with dogs, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports

Penryn, Cornwall: Sampson Richards

March 30, 2024 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2024) | Sampson Richards, born 18 August 1995, of Liberty, Lestraynes Lane, Penryn TR10 9EL – goaded his dog into chasing and attacking a deer.

Richards pleaded guilty to an offence under the Deer Act 1991 after an RSPCA investigation led to his prosecution.

The animal charity was alerted after video clips showing a dog being encouraged into chasing down and attacking the young deer were shared on a Facebook group.

The footage, which was filmed at night, shows the 13-month-old beige saluki cross lurcher named Butch biting the terrified animal and shaking him vigorously while he screams out in pain. The voice of a male, who captured the footage under torch-light, is heard encouraging the dog throughout the chase and attack.

The video closes with the person filming saying: “It’s good for you to be able to see this”.

A vet, who examined the footage as part of the RSPCA investigation, said in their statement for the court: “The duration of the video was 73 seconds long, however this would not have represented the whole duration of the incident.

“I expect that the footage was started after the person in the video had realised that his dog was in pursuit.

“When the footage ended the deer was clearly still alive. We cannot say how long before the poor creature was put out of its pain, nor what method was used for this. Hence, the incident was probably far longer than the duration of the video.

“This extremely distressful video shows the illegal coursing of a deer by a lurcher. ‘Lamping’ refers to the usage of a specialised torch to enable the pursuit. Such a light was later found at the premises of Sampson Richards.

“The dog was actively encouraged and helped to chase and attack the deer and clearly praised for his activities by the person making the video.

“The deer was terrified and afraid and suffered great pain and distress. At no time did the person try to stop the chase. No attempt was made to pull the dog off the deer whilst the person was standing right over it.

“There was no evidence that the deer was to be swiftly and humanely dispatched, in the likelihood that it was too badly injured to be taken to a vet for first aid treatment.

“We have no idea how long the total chase went on for. We have no idea how long before the deer was euthanased. We have no idea whether the person making the video let the dog kill the dog, presumably by ripping its throat apart, or whether the person shot it or cut its throat himself.

“One thing that we can be sure of is that the deer suffered terribly.

“Unlike animals such as dogs, horses, cattle and sheep, deer do not vocalise under normal circumstances, only when they are terrified or in pain or during the mating season. Thankfully it is extremely unusual to hear a deer vocalise. It is without doubt that this deer suffered terribly.”

A spokesperson for the RSPCA said: “We share our space with wildlife and need to show respect and kindness. Animals feel pain, just as we do, and we’re appealing to everyone to show care and consideration to all animals.”

The full charge against Richards read: That on or about November 21, 2022 in the vicinity of Liberty Barn, Lestraynes Lane, Penryn, Cornwall, or elsewhere within the jurisdiction, you did, while on any land, attempt to take, kill or injure any deer without the consent of the owner or occupier of the land or other lawful authority, contrary to Section 1 (2)(a) of the Deer Act 1991.

Butch was signed over into the care of the RSPCA for rehoming.

Sentencing | 12-month community order with 180 hours of unpaid work; £400 costs and £114 surcharge; forfeiture and confiscation of the lamping lamp.

Falmouth Packet
Mirror

animal fighting / baiting, Dogs, foxes, hunting with dogs, hunts, Organised Animal Crime, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports

Corsham, Wiltshire: Tom Ledbury

March 26, 2024 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2024) | Thomas Ledbury, born c. 1985, of Pine Close, Corsham SN13 0LB – part of a group of huntsmen that threw a live fox to a pack of hounds.

Wiltshire man Tom Ledbury was captured on video watching another person remove a terrified fox from his den before throwing the animal to a pack of hunting dogs. — Tom Ledbury was captured on video watching another person remove a terrified fox from his den before throwing the animal to a pack of hunting dogs.

Ledbury, who was employed by the now defunct Avon Vale Hunt as a terrierman, pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting another to commit an offence, namely unnecessary suffering to a fox.

Video footage obtained by hunt saboteurs showed Ledbury supervising hunt members as they throw a live fox to a pack of baying hounds in an incident near Melksham on December 24, 2020.

The video shows the fox being bitten on its right hind upper leg and upper neck as it is launched into the pack.

Ledbury is shown looking on as the horrifically cruel incident takes place.

An expert witness told the court there was no doubt that the fox was alive when he was pulled from the hole. He added that the poor creature would have experienced severe fear and extreme pain whilst being torn apart by the hounds. It would have eventually lost consciousness and died.

Two other men – namely Oliver Thompson of Faringdon, Oxfordshire and then Avon Vale Hunt Master Stuart Radbourne, a serial wildlife persecutor from Chippenham, Wiltshire, were convicted in relation to the same incident.

Stuart Radbourne (left) and Oliver Thompson

Thompson was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to a fox following trial and sentenced to a 20-week suspended prison sentence. Radbourne received a suspended 18-week custodial sentence.

A fourth man named Charlie Ball was also present and initially prosecuted. Unfortunately, the status of the prosecution against him isn’t currently known.

Charlie Ball (standing) pictured with Tom Ledbury. Photo credit: Wiltshire Hunt Saboteurs – Twitter

A fifth hunt member identified by Wiltshire Hunt Saboteurs as Rob Shearring was shown in the video with a spade and “assisting with the illegal kill”. It is unclear why charges have not been brought against Shearring given his clear involvement.

The Avon Vale Hunt was disbanded in February 2023 after it was removed from the sport’s governing body following the leaking of a video showing two foxes being dug out of the earth and thrown to waiting hounds on December 20, 2022.

Tom Ledbury was captured on video watching another person remove a terrified fox from his den before throwing the animal to a pack of hunting dogs.

Chief Inspector Will Mitchell, from the RSPCA’s Special Operations Unit which led the investigation, named Operation Aurora, said: “As part of a larger investigation the video footage was identified from a seized mobile phone.

“This shocking hunt video shows the lack of compassion and empathy for this fox who is thrown to a pack of baying hounds to be ripped apart. It’s really worrying to think anyone may find treating an animal this way fun.”

Sentencing | 12-month community order with a requirement to undertake 240 hours of unpaid work.

SomersetLive

Additional Information

Ledbury runs a business called Tom Ledbury Maintenance and Installations. He currently holds a contract with Bath and North East Somerset Council to repair and maintain street furniture and park infrastructure.

badger baiting, deer, Dogs, hunting with dogs, Lifers, Multiple Species, Organised Animal Crime, Pet Profiteering, puppy farmers / traffickers, kennels, backyard breeders, Serial Animal Abusers, Traveller Animal Crimes, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports, Worst of the Worst

City of Lancaster, Lancashire: Tom Lloyd, Jay Jones and Steven Dixon

March 18, 2024 misanthropic 4 Comments

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.

Lancaster men Tom Lloyd (left) and Jay Jones were both sent to prison for serious wildlife offences — 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.

Prosecution of wildlife criminal Tom Lloyd from Lancaster, and accomplices Steven Dixon and Jay Jones. — 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.

Other 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.

Prosecution of wildlife criminal Tom Lloyd from Lancaster, and accomplices Steven Dixon and Jay Jones.. Dogs seized from two of the men. — 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.”

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.

Lancaster Guardian
LancsLive

animal fighting / baiting, Animal Torture, badger baiting, Birds, deer, Dogs, foxes, hunting with dogs, Multiple Species, Organised Animal Crime, Serial Animal Abusers, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports, Worst of the Worst

Worksop, Nottinghamshire: Daniel Taylor

March 7, 2024 misanthropic 4 Comments

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.

CPS prosecution of ultra-sadistic wildlife persecutor Daniel Taylor from Worksop, Nottinghamshire.

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 Worksop man Daniel Taylor's family home — 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

ITV News

deer, Food Production, poaching, Serial Animal Abusers, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports

Castlederg, County Tyrone: Trevor Gannon

February 24, 2024 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2024) | serial wildlife criminal Trevor Gannon, born 16 January 1976, of Ashleigh Court, Castlederg BT81 7WA – for deer poaching.

Wildlife criminal Trevor Gannon from Castlederg, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland

Gannon, who was previously convicted of running an illegal venison supply plant, was prosecuted following a police investigation into his activities initiated in January 2020.

Searches were carried out at a property in the Castlederg area and in two food processing plants in Coalisland and Scotland. This led to a further investigation into money laundering.

In court Gannon pleaded guilty to various charges in relation to the possession of criminal property.

Detective Chief Inspector Wilson said: “We welcome the outcome and want to remind the public and any business owners that we will continue to tackle all types of criminality including wildlife crime such as deer poaching and money laundering, investigating reports accordingly.

“The investigations into Mr Gannon’s unlawful activity, were conducted collaboratively with partners from the Food Standard Agency, Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs, and Derry City and Strabane Environmental Health Council, which highlights our shared determination and commitment to disrupting these types of crime.

“Going forward, the local community is encouraged to report any similar incidents of deer poaching to police, to prevent this illegal activity taking place. I would also like to add that when investigating officers are considering wildlife crime other offences may be identified”.

Sentencing | 200 hours of community service; confiscation order for £6,000.

Farming Life

deer, poaching, Serial Animal Abusers, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports

Haddington, East Lothian: John Smedley

February 24, 2024 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2024) | John Smedley, 56, born c. 1967, of Priory Walk, Haddington EH41 4AJ – illegally shot and killed deer.

Prosecution of poacher and wildlife killer John Smedley from Haddington, East Lothian. Image: Edinburgh/Live / Daily Record

Smedley confessed to killing the roe deer without permission in Morham, East Lothian, and also admitted to having the animal’s carcass in his home at North Berwick on April 23, 2023.

He also pleaded guilty to a third charge of possessing a Texan Air Rifle Lethal Load weapon without lawful authority.

Smedley, who has a previous conviction for the same deer hunting offence, was blasted by a judge after trying to claim that shooting the animals was deemed “acceptable” in the area.

Sheriff Matthew Auchincloss stated: “I live in East Lothian and I can tell you that it’s certainly not acceptable to poach these animals.”

Prosecution of poacher and wildlife killer John Smedley from Haddington, East Lothian. Image: John Smedley / Facebook

Commenting on the terrifying firearm Smedley owned, the judge added: “I have seen a picture of the rifle you used. It would have looked like a sniper rifle to anybody who didn’t know what it was if they saw you walking around with it.”

Fining Smedley £800, Sheriff Auchinloss continued: “That’s so you know it’s not worth your while hunting for deer – it would be much cheaper to just buy a carcass.”

Defence lawyer Mark Hutchison said his client had grown up watching his grandfather and father hunt for deer without any repercussions.

He explained: “Mr Smedley tells me that in East Lothian, there’s a culture of this kind of thing being acceptable. Obviously it’s not acceptable. I told him he will get the jail for doing it again and he said he’ll never do it again.
“He’s never had a custodial sentence before and other than this matter, lives a pro-social life, working seven days a week.”

Addressing Smedley, Sheriff Auchincloss said: “This is not acceptable and is a crime. It may have been more accepted in your grandfather and father’s time.

“But time changes the law. I am satisfied that the custody threshold has been met. However, as this is a summary matter, I can only send you to prison if there are no other alternatives.”

A motion by Procurator Fiscal to have the rifle and ammunition forfeited was granted.

A source close to Smedley, who works as a scaffolder, claims he hunted the animals “for fun” and would allegedly give away the meat or feed it to his dog.

They added: “He’s done this before and I’d be very surprised if he doesn’t do it again. This sentence absolutely does not send the right message of deterring others.

“Everyone in Haddington honestly expected him to get the jail for his cruel actions. Where’s the justice for these animals?”

All four deer species found in Scotland – red, roe, fallow and sika – are protected under the Deer (Scotland) Act 1996. Permission to shoot them must be granted by the authorities.

Sentencing | fined £800; 60 hours of unpaid work.

EdinburghLive
East Lothian Courier

Dogs, hare coursing, hunting with dogs, Pet Profiteering, puppy farmers / traffickers, kennels, backyard breeders, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports

Stanwell, Surrey: Riley Leigh-Shaw

February 17, 2024 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2024) | wildlife persecutor and backyard breeder Riley Jay Ronald Leigh-Shaw, born 16 April 2001, of Southern Cottages, Horton Road, near Stanwell, Staines-upon-Thames TW19 6AG – kept two lurchers, a Patterdale terrier and a Jack Russell in dilapidated and filthy outdoor cages.

CPS prosecution of dog abuser and wildlife killer Riley Leigh Shaw from Stanwell, Surrey — Riley Leigh-Shaw, an animal abuser from the Spelthorne district of Surrey.

Surrey Police officers found the four dogs after conducting a warrant at an address in Stanwell on May 11, 2023. The animals, who all appeared neglected and malnourished, were kept in dilapidated wooden cages within the garden of the property.

The dogs were seized under section 18 of the Animal Welfare Act and taken to a vets for assessment. At least one of them needed urgent medical treatment.

In court, Leigh-Shaw pleaded guilty to two counts of causing unnecessary suffering and four counts of keeping the dogs in unsuitable conditions.

Investigating Officer PC Duncan MacKenzie said; “This was a shocking case where the dogs were kept in appalling conditions. Fortunately, the dogs have all now been placed in loving homes and will be able to live as they should.

“If you think someone is mistreating or neglecting animals in their care, please make sure to report it to us.”

Sentencing | 75 days in prison. Ten-year ban on owning animals.

Surrey Police
SurreyLive

UK Animal Cruelty Files

Category Archives: Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports

Morecambe, Lancashire / Bolton, Greater Manchester: George Miller and Lewis Sheridan

CONVICTED (2024) | hare coursers George William Miller, born July 1991, of Loupsfell Drive, Morecambe LA4 4SB and Lewis Sheridan, born 21 October 1986, of 128 Thicketford Road, Bolton BL2 2LU

Additional Information

Doncaster Hare Coursing Gang: Eugene Meenaghan, Joe Murtagh, Jay Poole, Jake Reidy

Compton, Wolverhampton: Richard Orton

CONVICTED (2024) | Richard Robin Orton, born 27 September 1985, of Westland Road, Compton, Wolverhampton WV3 9NY – trapped wild birds and kept them in squalid conditions in his garden.

Penryn, Cornwall: Sampson Richards

CONVICTED (2024) | Sampson Richards, born 18 August 1995, of Liberty, Lestraynes Lane, Penryn TR10 9EL – goaded his dog into chasing and attacking a deer.

Corsham, Wiltshire: Tom Ledbury

CONVICTED (2024) | Thomas Ledbury, born c. 1985, of Pine Close, Corsham SN13 0LB – part of a group of huntsmen that threw a live fox to a pack of hounds.

Additional Information

City of Lancaster, Lancashire: Tom Lloyd, Jay Jones and Steven Dixon

Worksop, Nottinghamshire: Daniel Taylor

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.

Castlederg, County Tyrone: Trevor Gannon

CONVICTED (2024) | serial wildlife criminal Trevor Gannon, born 16 January 1976, of Ashleigh Court, Castlederg BT81 7WA – for deer poaching.

Haddington, East Lothian: John Smedley

CONVICTED (2024) | John Smedley, 56, born c. 1967, of Priory Walk, Haddington EH41 4AJ – illegally shot and killed deer.

Stanwell, Surrey: Riley Leigh-Shaw

CONVICTED (2024) | wildlife persecutor and backyard breeder Riley Jay Ronald Leigh-Shaw, born 16 April 2001, of Southern Cottages, Horton Road, near Stanwell, Staines-upon-Thames TW19 6AG – kept two lurchers, a Patterdale terrier and a Jack Russell in dilapidated and filthy outdoor cages.

We collate data on animal cruelty convictions in the UK