CONVICTED (2016) | Cathy-Lee McGuire (aka Cathy-Lee Carleton), born 17 February 1991, of Ballymena Road, Ballymena BT42 1DT – allowed her pet German Shepherd to become severely emaciated.
Cathy-Lee McGuire pleaded guilty to causing suffering to the unnamed one-year old German Shepherd.
The German Shepherd who was found to have suffered serious, sustained neglect.
Two charges were brought against McGuire by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council under the Welfare of Animals Act (NI) 2011.
The dog was found in a severely emaciated state with all bones of the pelvis and the spine visible and a sunken appearance to his face at McGuire’s property during an investigation by an animal welfare officer in February 2014.
He recovered from his ordeal and was successfully rehomed.
Sentence: total of £880.25 fines and costs with 26 weeks to pay.McGuire was not banned from keeping animals.
#MostEvil | Carl Peter McQuillan, born 09/02/1987, of Spruce Court, Salford M6 5EW – admitted he “never gave a second thought” to the dog he abandoned to starve to death.
Staffordshire bull terrier Cleo was found dead, surrounded by faeces and urine and with flies around her body at a house in Swinton.
The horrifying extent of McQuillan’s neglect was outlined by prosecutors. He admitted “not giving a second thought” to the dog after moving in elsewhere with his father after his stepmother was diagnosed with cancer, it was said.
The RSPCA were originally called to his home in January 2015, after receiving reports of an abandoned dog, but they were assured she had not been left alone for long.
Then on 14 March 2016 police were called to Bolton Road in Swinton, near the Lord Nelson pub, to reports of a public order offence.
After being arrested McQuillan told officers he needed to go home to pick up some medication for a heart problem.
It was then police came across his dog, which had been left to fend for herself since Christmas time.
Prosecuting for the RSPCA, Anne McDonald said a police officer who entered the room encountered an ‘overwhelming smell’ which made him feel ‘physically sick and took his breath away’.
She added: “He said that the dog was clearly deceased and appeared in a mummified state. He said he was shocked at the state of the animal and had never seen a dog left in such a condition.”
A post mortem examination found that the dog could have died any time from eight to 40 days before she was discovered by police. A child’s shoe was found in the dog’s mouth and other items in her stomach.
McQuillan’s lawyer Michael Cahill conceded his client “didn’t give the animal a second thought.”
Addressing McQuillan, the judge said: “It was a horrendous offence. There was quite clearly neglect.
“You effectively abandoned your dog around Christmas and it was found dead in March.
“The dog had tried to eat just about anything before it died. I have no doubt it suffered a miserable death.”
Sentence: 16 weeks in prison for the animal offence plus 10 weeks for assault on his partner, to run consecutively.
CONVICTED (2016) | Ryan Thomas Edwards (aka Ryan Halbert), born 18 January 1996 and of Slackeys Lane, Southport PR9 8HN – dragged a terrified dog by her collar and hurled her at a wall.
2019 photo of dog abuser Ryan Thomas Edwards currently of Southport but with links to Skelmersdale
Career crook Edwards snapped when the female Staffordshire Bull Terrier, named Marley, refused to go over to him when he called her.
The thug dragged the dog by the collar before picking her up by the head and throwing her four feet against a wall.
Edwards had denied causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, but changed his plea to guilty at the last minute.
The court heard Zoe Edwards, the defendant’s sister, was in her bedroom with Marley at the family’s former home in Southport , on November 6, 2015.
Bernice Campbell, prosecuting, said: “The defendant came into the bedroom and called the dog over. It very reluctantly came towards him, but was shaking and clearly scared.”
Ms Campbell said the defendant went outside with Marley and returned to the bedroom a short time later.
She told the court: “Marley went back to sit by Zoe. The defendant called her back over but the dog refused to go.
“He then grabbed her collar, dragged her towards him and grabbed her by the head, and threw her four feet into a wall. The dog was stunned and froze.”
Zoe confronted her brother, who then attacked her.
Ms Campbell said: “The defendant launched himself towards Zoe and punched her to the face, grabbed her by the hair and punched her to the ribs.
“Zoe’s mum came to help and the defendant released his grip, before grabbing her by the throat.”
The attack left Zoe with hair missing and a sore head.
The court heard Edwards had already been convicted of common assault and assault occasioning actual bodily harm for the attack on his sister, and had been sentenced to six months in prison the previous month.
Sentencing: 28 days in prison to run concurrently with six-month jail term for assault. 10-year ban on keeping animals.
Edwards has racked up numerous criminal convictions in the years since his attack on Marley. In February 2019 he was fined after it was discovered he had a dog in breach of his banning order.
Update August 2021: jailed for drug dealing
Edwards – a member of the High Parkers organised crime group – was convicted for his role in a drug supply operation based in the Sefton area of Liverpool. Edwards, whose address was given in court as Alexandra Road, Southport, was sentenced to four years and eight months in jail after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
CONVICTED (2016) | horse sanctuary owner Roberta Kirsten Adele Cleere, born 11 October 1977, of Dolcoath Avenue, Camborne, Cornwall TR14 8RY – for the shocking mistreatment of several horses; breached her ban on having any involvement with equine animals within one year
Roberta Cleere left animals emaciated and with untreated injuries.
Roberta Cleere became “overwhelmed” when she ran the Second Chance Horse Rescue Centre from her home in St Day, Cornwall.
In October 2016 she was found guilty of four counts of causing unnecessary suffering to animals in her care after horses belonging to her were found with leg wounds, eye wounds, poor body condition and in a state of emaciation.
Prince did not get the necessary veterinary care for an injury to his legThe Shetland cob-type horse Beau suffered from neglect Cleere failed to treat an eye infection in a horse called Prince
She was charged as follows:
1. Causing unnecessary suffering to a Shetland cob-type horse, called Prince, by failing to provide adequate veterinary and attention to a leg injury between 31/12/2015 and 9/1/2016
2. Causing unnecessary suffering to a Shetland cob-type horse, called Prince, by failing to provide adequate veterinary care for a problem with his eye between 5/1/2016 and 9/1/2016
3. Causing unnecessary suffering to two Shetland cob-type horses, called Beau and Jess, by failing to investigate and adequately treat the cause of their poor body condition between 2/12/2015 and 8/1/2016
4. Causing unnecessary suffering to a piebald cob-type horse, called Sampson, by failing to adequately investigate weight loss between 18/12/2015 and 10/2/2016
Prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, Kevin Withey told the court how Cleere ignored advice and warnings of the RSPCA and failed to properly look after the horses at her sanctuary.
Convicted horse abuser Cleere outside court
Rob Ecclestone, defending, said Cleere had always been “devoted to horses”.
He said it was her love of animals which led to her setting up the Second Chance Horse Rescue Centre.
The sanctuary began in 2003 and Cleere had 35-40 horses when the RSPCA intervened in December 2015.
The court was told how Cleere recently had eight horses which were now under the ownership of her then 17-year-old daughter Chandon Cleere, with two set to be rehomed within the coming months.
Sentencing:
Original sentence (Oct 2016): 24 weeks in custody, suspended for two years; 100 hours of unpaid work; costs of £1250 plus victim surcharge. Banned from keeping horses for 10 years (expires October 2026).
For the breach of a suspended sentence Cleere was fined £300, and for the breach of the disqualification from involvement in horses she was given a four-week curfew, active seven days a week between 10pm and 6am. She must also pay court costs of £375 and an £85 victim surcharge.
CONVICTED (2016) | Billy Michael Furey, born c. 1997, of Elmfield Avenue, Huddersfield HD3 4SQ – allowed his dog to be “dangerously out of control”.
Billy Michael Furey failed to control this dog who attacked a woman and her Jack Russell.. The dog, believed to be named Spot (pictured), lost his life as a result.
Furey was convicted of owning a dangerous dog which attacked Elizabeth Duffield. Mrs Duffield spent five days in hospital following the attack near her home in Golcar on March 13, 2014. She was left with horrific hand injuries and facing the ordeal of extensive surgery to repair the damage.
Mrs Duffield’s Jack Russell Buster was also injured in the attack.
Furey pleaded guilty to owning a dog dangerously out of control and causing injury when he appeared before Kirklees Magistrates.
The magistrates ordered that the dog must be destroyed unless an appeal is lodged within the next 21 days.
Furey was also sentenced for dishonestly receiving stolen goods. He drove a stolen Mazda on Riddings Road, Deighton, without a licence or insurance.
When police stopped him panic-stricken Furey reversed the Mazda into the police vehicle behind him and got stuck.
Sentencing: He was given a community order to take part in an accredited programme for 33 days and ordered to pay £200 compensation for dog attack. His driving licence endorsed with eight points.
CONVICTED (2016) | Nicola Pearce, born c. 1972, and husband Gavin Pearce, born 2 August 1969, of Chestnut Close, Killingworth, Newcastle upon Tyne NE12 6GL – failed to care for their elderly springer spaniel, who had to be put to sleep.
Nicola and Gavin Pearce pictured during their 2016 court appearance.
The 14-year–old dog, known as Bracken, was found to be underweight, suffering from an eye infection, urinary incontinence and a chronic skin condition. The dog was taken to a vet by the RSPCA and had to be put down.
Their elderly dog, Bracken (pictured) had to be euthanised on humane grounds.
Nicola Pearce pleaded guilty to two charges of causing unnecessary suffering to the animal, while Gavin Pearce admitted failing to meet the needs of the dog.
Denise Jackman, prosecuting for the RSPCA, said an inspector went to the couple’s home on June 13, 2016, and became concerned about Bracken’s condition.
She added: “The inspector saw immediately that the dog appeared to be in a thin condition. It had crusty eyes that were weeping and were sore.
“Its coat was stained yellow in urine and it appeared very weak.”
Gavin Pearce. Picture: Facebook.
Bracken was then taken to a vet who concluded the animal had to be put to sleep because he was suffering.
Ms Jackman said: “According to the vet’s statement, this was a geriatric Springer Spaniel that was very unwell, weak and lethargic. It weighed only 15.2kg – a normal weight would be about 20kg. Its eyes were crusted with discharge.
“Urine passed involuntarily and its skin was severely diseased. Its feet were matted and contaminated.
“A urine sample was taken and it showed this dog was sadly suffering from neglect and it needed to be put to sleep.
“The suffering was chronic, over a period of many weeks. This was avoidable if care was given to this dog. A responsible owner would provide veterinary care.”
Mark Styles, representing the couple, told the court that Gavin Pearce had “noticed the deterioration in Bracken’s health” but failed “to persuade, to convince, his wife to take this dog to a vet”.
Speaking for Mrs Pearce, he said she suffered from severe mental health problems and was taking anti-depressants. He added that she “could not face” having Bracken put down due to “her emotional state”.
Sentence: 12-month community orders with probation for her and unpaid work for him, fines and costs. Banned from keeping animals for five years (expired October 2021).
CONVICTED (2016) | Stephen Thomas Parkes, born 29 September 1981 of Bloxwich Road, Walsall WS3 2XE – forced dogs to fight with foxes.
Parkes was arrested after police found a group of men and two dead foxes on waste ground in Goscote, Walsall, in November 2015. Two injured terriers were found in his vehicle.
Parkes was convicted of one case of causing unnecessary suffering to his two tri-coloured terrier dogs, Ted and Bully, on November 29, 2015.
He was also found guilty of fox hunting in contravention of the 2004 Hunting Act.
In court, it was revealed how police had spotted a Ford Mondeo car on wasteland on Goscote Lodge Crescent, Goscote, at around 5.30pm on November 29. Inside were two dogs who had blood around their muzzles.
The officers approached a group of around eight men who had torches and when they announced themselves as police they fled along with several dogs.
But Parkes and another man didn’t run and were both holding spades.
Two dead foxes were on the ground without their tails – a sign they had been cut off as a trophy.
In court, Parkes admitted he told police shortly after being caught: “Yeah, I will hold my hands up – I was fox hunting.” However, he later said he was being sarcastic.
He said he had taken the two dogs for a walk and had let them off the lead. Bully had gone missing so he sent down Ted to find her.
But both dogs wouldn’t come back up so he spent several hours digging for them.
In court, the unemployed father of two said: “I love those dogs. I would never take them home injured as I have two little daughters and they would be upset. I wouldn’t want them going to school telling their teachers. I was going to take them straight to the vets at Quinton.”
The dogs were taken to the vets where they were examined. Both had “multiple small wounds” to their muzzles and signs of an infection to their eyes.
A postmortem revealed both foxes had died of injuries consistent with dog bites.
It was also revealed Parkes had a conviction for interfering with a badger sett dating back to 2004.
Nearly 4 years after his conviction and it’s clear that Ste Parkes hasn’t changed one bit.
Sentencing Parkes District Judge Neil Davison told him: “I simply don’t believe the account you have given in court. You deliberately sent those two dogs into the hole which resulted in the deaths of two foxes and injuries to Ted and Bully. From photographs shown in court you clearly have an interest in hunting.”
Speaking after the case RSPCA Inspector Bob Crutchley said: “We are happy with the sentence. This sends out a clear message that fox hunting using dogs will not be tolerated.
“Parkes had a history of hunting using dogs and we are pleased he has now been banned from keeping them.
“Fox hunting is quite rare in the Black Country and Birmingham areas but as can be seen by this case it does go on. Detecting it is the problem.”
A deprivation and disposal order for Ted and Bully was also ordered at court.
Sentencing | fined £210 and ordered to pay £270 in costs. Banned from keeping dogs for ONE year (expired October 2017).
#MostEvil | Mark Simon Phillip Sharp, born 27 September 1982, formerly of Heathgate Avenue, Speke, Liverpool and more recently (2019) Falkener House, Stoney Stanton Road, Coventry CV56 5PU – poured boiling liquid on a King Charles Spaniel and caused her to suffer nine broken ribs and a broken pelvis during months of secret abuse
Daisy, who belonged to Sharp’s then-partner, suffered full thickness burns to her head and body and was left cowering away from human contact.
Sharp was jailed for 16 weeks at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court on 3 October 2016 after pleading guilty to animal cruelty.
Speaking after the case, RSPCA inspector Claire Fisher told the Echo the case was one of the worst she had investigated in 13 years on the job.
She said: “I’m just very pleased that the courts have taken these vile acts seriously. This dog suffered for months at Sharp’s hands, and the moment I first saw her there was no way I was getting close to her.
“This is a breed that is so loving and wants human contact but she was cowering in the back of the kennel.”
Peter Mitchell, prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, told the court Inspector Fisher was made aware of the case on January 12, 2016, by a vet concerned over the burns on Daisy’s head and body.
He said: “On seeing the dog it was on strong pain relief and appeared very nervous and was shaking in the kennel.
“When (Insp Fisher) attempted to touch the dog she cowered away and snapped. The inspector described seeing an extensive scabbed area over the top of the head and neck with a particularly raw area at the middle of the top of the head. She was advised that the burns were full skin thickness.”
The court heard Inspector Fisher was made aware of concerns relating to two other occasions in June and December 2015, when the broken bones were discovered.
Sharp, formerly a well-known DJ in Moreton, Wirral, claimed he had accidentally caused the injuries by standing on Daisy and pulling on her lead.
However Mr Mitchell read evidence from RSPCA vet Dr Sean Taylor, who said the injuries were similar to those normally seen in a road traffic collision.
He told the court: “Dr Taylor notes that the ribs are designed to protect vital organs and therefore are good at absorbing energy and difficult to break.
“He goes on to indicate that due to the fact that there are rib fractures on either side, it is his opinion that they would not have occurred at the same time as indicated by the defendant in his interview but on separate occasions.”
The case had been delayed after Sharp made court based police officers aware that he had been threatened on the way into the building ahead of his sentence.
Sentence: jailed for 16 weeks.Banned from owning animals for 15 years (expires 2027).
Sharp is dating a woman from Dunstable but it’s not clear if he has moved there permanently.
In recent years Sharp has lived in Beckenham and Croydon.
Last confirmed address for Sharp is Princes Gate East, Liverpool L8 0SU. He also has strong family links to Bramble Way in Moreton, Wirral.
Update | October 2023
We became aware that Mark Sharp is trying to make it as a musician and has performed gigs in the city.
Sharp performs at the Cavern Club
He performs ‘music’ under the name Mark Philips or Mark Philip and has played gigs at a variety of establishments including the world-famous Cavern Club.
CONVICTED (2016) | Emily Louise Till, born c. 1984, and Steven Watkins, born c. 1986, of New Road, Far Forest, near Kidderminster DY14 9TQ – left their two dogs without food and in an emaciated state.
Emily Till.
Emily Till and partner Steven Watkins were found guilty of neglecting Staffy Bruno and husky Demon.
The RSPCA received a complaint in January 2016 about two dogs in poor condition, and inspector Suzanne Smith was sent out to the house.
Husky Demon was in poor condition following months of neglect by his ownersStaffy Bruno was also in a skeletal condition
She said: “We received complaints about the condition of the two dogs, and on that first visit I was shocked to see the state of them. Both Bruno and Demon were so thin I could see all their bones protruding, even despite Demon’s thick coat.
“It later transpired that Demon was suffering with non-regenerative anaemia caused by his extremely thin body condition.
“Bruno weighed little over 11kg at seizure and Demon just weighed 14kg, practically half of what they should ideally weigh.”
After a vet certified that both dogs were suffering, police removed Bruno and Demon and placed them the RSPCA’s care.
Inspector Smith said: “Both Till and Watkins refused to admit any wrongdoing, but since being cared for by the RSPCA, both dogs are doing so well and are up to their optimum, healthy weights.
With proper care Bruno and Demon have recovered from their ordeal
Husky Demon looking far healthier
“I am very pleased to say that Demon, the husky, has been rehomed already as he was signed over to us shortly after we were called. But following yesterday’s sentencing, I’m delighted that now Bruno can also be found his forever home too.”
Sentencing: Till – 18-week curfew and £500 costs. Watkins – 150 hours of community service over 12 months; £750 costs.
Both were disqualified from keeping dogs for five years (expired 2021) and deprived of ownership of the dogs.
The pair were given 28 days to rehome another dog which they had taken on before the trial.
