animal fighting / baiting, Dogs, foxes, hunting with dogs, Organised Animal Crime, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports, Worst of the Worst

West Burton, North Yorkshire: Steven Metcalfe

March 15, 2011 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2011) | former gamekeeper Steven Metcalfe, born 2 May 1978, of Wensleydale Avenue, West Burton, Leyburn DL8 5SD – filmed a horrific attack by two dogs on a trapped fox.

The footage taken by Metcalfe on his mobile phone was so distressing that it made one of the magistrates cry when viewed in court.

The married father-of-two claimed he was not directly involved in the attack, but refused to name the two other men involved.

Kevin Campbell, prosecuting for the RSPCA, said the unidentified men had caught the fox and were keeping it in a sack with its mouth bound.

He said they told Metcalfe they wanted him to film their dogs attacking it “for training”.

The fox was then held down by its neck by one of the men, with its mouth still tied, as the dogs repeatedly tore into it at the unnamed location. It was later shot dead by one of the men, who are both known to Metcalfe.

When questioned by officers, he replied: “I didn’t think it was wrong – it’s just a dog killing a fox. It’s vermin.”

He had previously worked as a gamekeeper for four years and was trained in humane methods of killing animals.

Metcalfe admitted causing unnecessary suffering and being present at an animal fight.

Granville Rooley, mitigating, told the court that Metcalfe felt intimidated by the other two men and was not directly responsible for the incident.

“What he should have done was simply walked away from it once he realised what was going on,”

He added: “He did not because anyone who can set up this kind of thing are not the type of people you want to get on the wrong side of.”

Speaking afterwards, RSPCA Inspector Clare Wilson, said: “The video is extremely shocking and shows a deliberate and callous attack of great cruelty towards the fox.”

Sentencing | 16 weeks in prison. Banned from keeping dogs for ten years (expired 2021).

Northern Echo

Dogs, Domestic Violence - Animals Targeted, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers, Worst of the Worst

Tyldesley, Greater Manchester: William Edge

February 23, 2011 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2011) | William Sumner Christian Edge, born 23/01/1971, of 33 Beckford Court, Tyldesley M29 8GF – cut a puppy’s throat during a row with his partner.

During a heated argument with his partner, Edge grabbed the young dog and held a knife to his throat.

Edge, a former security guard at the Trafford Centre, claimed that the dog wriggled, causing the blade to pierce his throat. But prosecutors argued that the wound showed that “considerable force” had been used and was consistent with a “stabbing action” rather than an accident.

The dog required emergency surgery to save his life.

Edge admitted assaulting the woman and causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.

Sentence: 16-week suspended sentence; £350 in costs. Two-year ban on keeping animals.

Manchester Evening News

bird trapping, Birds

Bridgwater, Somerset: Robert Dean

February 20, 2011 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2011) | bird trapper Robert John Dean, born c. 1951, of 9 Petrel Close, Bridgwater TA6 4ET

Dean was convicted of unnecessary suffering to a protected animal; possession of live wild birds; attempting to take a wild bird.

24-month conditional discharge, £750 costs.

Bridgwater Mercury

Cats, Domestic Violence - Animals Targeted, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers, Worst of the Worst

Dewsbury, West Yorkshire: Matthew Falkingham

February 17, 2011 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2011) | Matthew Falkingham, born 18/08/1991, of Moorside Avenue, Dewsbury Moor, Dewsbury WF13 4QH – killed his ex-girlfriend’s kitten in a revenge attack.

In June 2010 Matthew Falkingham killed his ex girlfriend’s two-month-old kitten Daisy by putting her inside a pillow case and slamming it against a wall.

He sent Stacie Baker a text telling her “I’ve killed your cat and wrecked your stuff. I hope I have ruined your life like you have ruined mine.”

Prosecuting, Philip Brown described how the tiny animal suffered terrible injuries in the attack.

He said: ‘The cat died from a blunt trauma, which caused her lungs and liver to rupture.

‘There would have been a few minutes of shock and suffering before she died, as well as the distress of being confined in a pillow case.’

Falkingham pictured outside court in February 2011

Falkingham pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary cruelty to an animal and criminal damage.

Sentencing: four months in prison, suspended for 12 months; 150 hours of unpaid work; 12-month supervision order. Banned from keeping animals for five years (expired 2016).

Daily Mail

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

Surrey / West Sussex Hare Coursing Gang: Eddie Cole, Matthew Giles, Tony Giles, Matthew Wenman

February 16, 2011 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2011) | hare coursers Eddie Cole, born 20 February 1982, and Matthew James Wenman, born 10 June 1986, both of South Oaks Caravan Park, Dorking Road, Chilworth, Guildford GU4 8NS but with links to Rudgwick, Horsham, West Sussex Matthew Giles, born c. 1979, of Hilltops Caravan Park, Stovolds Hill, Cranleigh GU6 8LE, Tony Frenny Giles, born 22 April 1985 of Twin Oaks, Knowle Lane, Cranleigh GU6 8JW and Nelson Hedges, born c. 1987, of Guildford Road, Normandy, Guildford GU3 2AR

Hare coursers Eddie Cole, Nelson Hedges, Tony Giles, Matthew Wenman, Matthew Giles — Clockwise from bottom left Eddie Cole, Nelson Hedges, Tony Giles, Matthew Wenman, Matthew Giles

A group of illegal hare coursers who drove 150 miles to let their dogs chase hares in north Suffolk were fined and banned from driving in February 2011.

Eddie Cole, Matthew Giles, Tony Giles, Nelson Hedges and Matthew Wenman were each fined £1,000 and banned from driving for 56 days after they pleaded guilty to hunting a wild mammal with a dog.

Magistrates heard the five defendants had driven up from Surrey and Sussex with five dogs on December 12, 2010, and allowed their dogs to chase hares in a field in Flixton, near Bungay.

At least one hare was killed by the pack of dogs, which included a spring spaniel, a terrier and a seven-month-old puppy.

Colette Griffiths, prosecuting said the five men were found by police stretched out in a line as the dogs chased a hare which was killed.

Police had arrived at the field after a farmer in another field had noticed the men acting suspiciously and alerted officers.

In mitigation the court heard the men were all “extremely remorseful” and recognised “the consequences of their actions”.

Sentencing | fined £1,000 each plus £100 court costs.

Eastern Daily Press

Update | January 2020

Nelson Hedges was jailed for two months for dangerous driving after leading a 100mph police chase.

Officers from Cambridgeshire Police suspected Hedges was hare coursing in his silver Mazda Tribute after members of the public reported him.

The force’s Rural Crime Action Team (RCAT) spotted the vehicle, covered in mud and with dogs in the boot, driving through the village of Iselham, Cambs.

Police parked across the road and signalled Hedges to pull over but he swerved round the car, mounting a pavement, and sped off.

He drove at speeds of nearly 100mph in a 40mph zone and darted across two junctions without stopping.

In a bid to evade police capture, he even drove onto a field causing around £200 worth of damage to crops.

He was arrested after his vehicle came to a halt when police blocked it in another field.

Hedges was also disqualified from driving for 19 months, with an extended retest, after pleading guilty to dangerous driving and criminal damage,

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

Knottingley / Wetherby, West Yorkshire: Mark Tiffin, Ben Galsworthy and Neil Burlingham

February 12, 2011 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2011) | wildlife persecutors Mark Anthony Tiffin, born 2 September 1990, of 79 Downland Crescent, Knottingley WF11 0EJ, Ben Scott Lloyd Galsworthy, born 26 February 1978, of 1 Derwent Place, Knottingley WF11 0NL and Neil Burlingham, born c. 1975, of Clifford in Wetherby – caught hunting with dogs.

The trio, who were represented by Clive Rees, were found guilty of hunting a wild mammal with a dog but walked free from court with a conditional discharge.

All three men were arrested in Gateforth, Selby, in January 2010 after members of Selby Badger Watch reported seeing three men with dogs and shovels close to a badger sett which they were monitoring. The men denied they were hunting a wild mammal with a dog.

When not terrorising wildlife, Tiffin participates in bareknuckle boxing matches

Tiffin told the court he had travelled with the other two men to look for rabbits, then to Hambleton Hough to “get rats out of mounds of muck”, before one of the dogs had run away.

The judge told the men that their stories were inconsistent whilst witnesses for the prosecution were credible and concise.

Tiffin, who at the time of his conviction was serving a 12-month prison sentence for causing death by dangerous driving, received a two-year conditional discharge.

Galsworthy and Burlingham also received two-year conditional discharges, and were ordered to pay costs of £500 each.

The two dogs, which had been examined by a vet at a cost of £2,092 were confiscated by the police but were later taken from the kennels by persons unknown.

Wildlife Guardian

Additional Information

Mark Tiffin was due to appear at Selby Magistrates Court on 24th March 2011 charged with being present at an animal fight. It is alleged that Tiffin used his mobile phone to record images of the animal fight and he faces a number of charges relating to this incident. Unfortunately no further details are available

Tiffin reportedly works as a ‘terrierman’ with the combined York and Ainsty South/Badsworth & Bramham Moor Hunt. Members of the York Anti-Hunt League took photographs of Tiffin, whose official role is to mend fences and open gates, during a “cubbing” meet.

He was pictured on a quad bike with spades clearly visible on the front of the vehicle. One disturbing image captured Tiffin literally with blood on his hands.

Dogs, Lifers, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers, Worst of the Worst

Ely, Cardiff: Martin Howells

February 2, 2011 misanthropic 7 Comments

CONVICTED (2011) | Martin Gareth Howells (deceased), born 04/06/1989, from Ely, Cardiff – strangled a puppy to death because she had become a burden

Social media images of puppy killer Martin Howells from Ely, Cardiff, Wales — Martin Howells

Martin Gareth Howells twisted the collar of a 12-week-old mastiff-type dog, named Jessie, garrotting her.

A post-mortem examination showed that Jessie’s death was consistent with strangulation. The vet’s report said it would have required sustained pressure to strangle the dog to death and it would have been an extremely painful, stressful demise.

A court heard Howells then buried Jessie’s body in the back garden of the house he shared with then partner Jade Tarr in Crossways Road, Ely.

When an RSPCA inspector called the following day, Howells claimed the dog had tried to attack their two-year-old daughter, Karla.

Howells told the RSPCA inspector: “I’m not going to lie to you, mate. The dog went for my daughter and I had to kill it.”

But Cardiff Magistrates Court heard that Howells had been warning that Jessie was an annoyance.

The RSPCA prosecutor said: “There was no evidence to show the dog was aggressive. In this breed of dog it would have been unusual. There’s evidence to suggest he wanted to get rid of the dog and said so before the incident.”

He added: “He told a neighbour that if the dog hadn’t gone by a certain date, he would kick it out in the street.

“In another conversation he said an ultimatum had been given for the dog to leave. He said he planned on selling the dog. He had enough of the dog. It had become a burden to him.”

Howells was found guilty in his absence of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal and failing to protect it from pain and suffering.

He also pleaded guilty to assaulting Ms Tarr in a separate incident in October 2010. The court heard he grabbed her in a head lock and punched her to the ribs and face, as their daughter looked on.

Mike Evans, prosecuting the assault, said Howells’ prolonged drug use had changed his temperament towards aggression.

He said:”He would threaten her and threatened to harm the dog. After the dog was killed, she began to take his threats more seriously.”

Sentence: six-month prison sentence; life-ban on keeping animals.

Source: WalesOnline (link removed).

Update August 2020

Martin Howells has died after apparently taking his own life.

Cats, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers, Worst of the Worst

Kitts Green, Birmingham: Stacey Ravenall

January 25, 2011 misanthropic 2 Comments

#MostEvil | Stacey Ravenall aka Stacey Wilcox, born 25 April 1991, as at October 2018 of Clopton Road, Kitts Green, Birmingham B33 0RL – hurled a kitten to her death from the 11th floor of a tower block

Cat killer Stacey Ravenall from Birmingham

After hitting the ground, the four-month-old cat, named Cuwella, continued to suffer for about 15 minutes before she died from internal bleeding.

Magistrates told Stacey Ravenall that, although what she had done was serious enough to pass the custody threshold, they accepted it had been an “impulsive act”.

Ravenall, who at the time was living in Yardley, admitted a charge of animal cruelty.

Nick Sutton, prosecuting, said the black and white cat belonged to friend Laura Edwards who had lived for several months with the defendant in Giles House, Stechford.

In the summer of 2010 Miss Edwards went to stay with her parents in Redditch, Ravenall agreeing to look after Cuwella while she was away.

Mr Sutton said Miss Edwards had rung up each day and spoke to Ravenall about the cat who said she had been “playing up”, but nothing more serious than that.

On June 22, Miss Edwards met up with Ravenall in Birmingham and they later returned to the Giles House flat.

The cat owner told Ravenall she was considering taking Cuwella to a sanctuary because she was unable to keep her and she wanted her to have a better home.

Ravenall responded by hitting the animal and then throwing her into the hallway.

Both then went into the hall where Ravenall picked the cat up again and pushed past Miss Edwards, going into the living room.

In a statement Miss Edwards said: “It was meowing. She walked to the living room window with the cat and just dropped Cuwella straight out of the window.”

When she asked Ravenall why she had done that, the defendant replied: “You did not want it anyway.”

Mr Sutton said the cat was later found dead by a wall.

Aftab Zahoor, defending, said Ravenall, who at the time had one child and was three months pregnant (she’s now a mother of three), had come from a broken home and spent her early years in care.

“She finds it difficult to cope with life and as a result has turned to alcohol to ease the pressure of life.

“She is disgusted with herself and her actions.”

He said she still suffered nightmares about what she had done and that at the time her judgment had been impaired.

The RSPCA said it was a sad case to have to investigate and welcomed the ten-year ban on keeping animals.

Insp Rob Hartley said: “This was cruel and callous behaviour towards a defenceless animal.

“Her only excuse may have been that she was under the influence of alcohol – that’s no excuse whatsoever.

“The cat undoubtedly suffered a painful and traumatic death unnecessarily.”

Sentencing:
Four months in custody suspended for two years; 30 hours’ unpaid work, £200 costs. Disqualified from keeping any animal for ten years (expired January 2021).

BirminghamLive

animal fighting / baiting, badger baiting, deer, Dogs, foxes, hunting with dogs, Multiple Species, Organised Animal Crime, Pet Profiteering, Serial Animal Abusers, service and working dogs, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports

Tonypandy, South Wales: Christian Latcham

January 15, 2011 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2011) | persistent wildlife persecutor Christian Latcham, born c. 1987, of Morton Terrace, Tonypandy, Rhondda Cynon Taf CF40 2DP

Serial persecutor of badgers, foxes and deer Christian Latcham of Tonypandy, South Wales — Barbaric Christian Latcham set his dogs on badgers, foxes and deer . He is shown here with regular digging mate Jamie Rush. Rush was exposed alongside Latcham in a 2018 BBC Wales documentary entitled ‘ The Secret World of Badger Baiters’

Blood sports enthusiast Latcham – a father of six – pleaded guilty to two charges under the Animal Welfare Act and six charges under the Badger Act.

The serial abuser was prosecuted after evidence of sickening cruelty towards badgers, foxes and deer were discovered on his mobile phone.

Prosecuting, Geraint Richards described to the court the disturbing pictures of a severed badger head, a photo of Latcham’s dogs savaging a badger and an image of a bloodstained Latcham holding up animal carcasses.

The court heard how, on being arrested in 2009 for a separate offence, Latcham had aroused officers’ suspicion as he hurried to conceal his mobile phone.

When the police seized his phone they viewed images of the defendant holding up the carcasses of foxes, deer and badgers.

Clive Rees, defending, said the defendant lacked empathy and had limited social skills.

He said: “He has been unable to put himself in the place of the animals he was dealing with and to think and see through the things he was doing.”

Chairman of the bench Mike Hanley said: “These were deliberate and unprovoked actions which speak of unspeakable cruelty.”

Two dogs used to savage the badgers were taken away from Latcham.

RSPCA inspector Simon Evans said badger baiting had become a prevalent problem in South Wales.

He said: “Offending evidence in this type of case is rare, but this isn’t a one off.”

Sentencing: Five-month prison sentence, suspended for one year; 250 hours of unpaid work; £1,000 costs. Disqualified indefinitely from keeping dogs.

Wales Online
BBC News

Update 2018

Despite having been banned indefinitely from keeping dogs Christian Latcham featured in an episode of BBC Wales Investigates entitled ‘The Secret World of Badger Baiters’.

The episode showed that Latcham not only had dogs but was still actively engaged in badger baiting alongside Jamie Rush. Other associates include Tomas Young and Ryan Harrison, who were jailed for badger baiting in June 2019. Young’s cruelty included skinning a badger cub alive before feeding it to his dogs.

Cats, Domestic Violence - Animals Targeted, Lifers, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers, Worst of the Worst

Motherwell, North Lanarkshire: Grant Hurlbert

January 10, 2011 misanthropic 1 Comment

#MostEvil | Grant Hurlbert, born January 1984, of Inveravon Drive, Motherwell ML1 3BQ – killed a kitten by slamming him repeatedly onto the floor.

Kitten killer Grant Hurlbert from Motherwell, Scotland, UK — Kitten killer Grant Hurlbert

In December 2010 Grant Hurlbert, who at the time was living in Strood, Kent, killed a 14-week old kitten named Jar Jar by slamming him onto the floor three times.

The kitten had been given to Hurlbert as a gift by his then girlfriend (who went on to have two children with him).

On the evening in question Hurlbert had turned up at her family home while high on drink and drugs. The court heard that he displayed some strange behaviour and at one point rolled around naked on the floor.

A family member heard loud noises coming from the kitchen and went to investigate. He saw Hurlbert “hold the kitten above his head with both hands and throw it hard on the floor”

Jar Jar was seen twitching on the floor and died later from his injuries.

Hurlbert assaulted his girlfriend’s father, as he tried to throw him out. He was arrested some time later.

Hurlbert, who owns scaffolding company Quick Fix Scaffolding Ltd, told police he could not remember the incident.

During Hurlbert’s court appearance in January 2011, the judge told him that drunkenness was no excuse for what was an act of “wanton cruelty”.

Sentencing: 16 weeks in prison for causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and banned from keeping or owning any animal for life. He was also given a total of eight weeks for the two assault charges and a further four weeks for possessing cannabis and causing criminal damage.

Kent Online

UK Animal Cruelty Files

Yearly Archives: 2011