CONVICTED (2016) | Michael Harris, born 6 November 1992, of North Drum Street, Kelty KY4 0EB – left a Staffordshire bull terrier to starve in a cage surrounded by squalor.
A sheriff told Michael Harris that the condition that the starving dog, known as Milo, was found in was “disgraceful”.
The animal, whose bones were showing through his skin, was kept in a cage surrounded by squalor.
Harris admitted that on 11 April 2016 at Leny Place, Dunfermline, North Drum Street, Kelty and elsewhere, being responsible for a dog, he failed to take steps to ensure the needs of the animal were met by failing to provide a suitable environment.
Milo was found in a skeletal condition after being starved by Mikey Harris
He failed to provide adequate drinking water and food, exposed the dog to faeces, urine, household waste and debris including a broken mirror and controlled substance paraphernalia.
He also failed to provide adequate exercise and adequate care and treatment for the dog’s coat.
Harris had given Milo to a friend – Sean Wilkie, who faced separate dog cruelty charges – who also had a dog to look after for him and the dog was kept in squalor at that house.
Partners in animal crime: Harris’s accomplice Sean Wilkie, who was tried separately
Depute fiscal Dev Kapadia said the police had been called to the premises in Leny Place in connection with another matter. They entered by removing a door panel and as the officers entered, Milo and the other dog ran out.
“One of the officers, a police sergeant said in his statement that on looking around it was without doubt one of the worst premises he’d seen in almost 20 years in his job,” Mr Kapadia told the court.
“The stench was overpowering and the front door had to be kept ajar to allow in fresh air and for the flies to get out,” added the depute.
Officers recaptured the dogs and put them in the living room, which was full of black bags full of discarded food and drink containers which “looked like they had been there for months”.
The depute went on, “The dog was severely malnourished and its bones were showing through its skin.
”The SSPCA were asked to attend the premises to look after the dogs. One of the officers said she had previously seen the animals and they had been in good body condition at that time.“
She said there had been an astounding deterioration of the dogs and their living conditions,”
Mr Kapadia continued: “When the dogs were released from their cage for the SSPCA inspector to look at them they immediately dived towards the bin bags scavenging for food.”
Asked by police about the dog’s condition, Harris admitted it was “poor”.
He said, “I cut the food and it was too low. It wasn’t fair to the dog.”
Asked about the filthy conditions, he blamed the police for causing the mess when they entered the house.
Defence solicitor Martin McGuire said his client had since signed the dog over into the care of the SSPCA.
“He recognises his failings in relation to the care of the dog. Mr Harris allowed him to look after Milo and that was a scenario she not allowed to happen,” said Mr McGuire.
He said that the householder at Leny Place, Sean Wilkie, was a “long-time friend” of his client.
Sheriff Craig McSherry said, “To suggest that the filthy state of this property was down to the police is absolutely ridiculous.
“These were appalling conditions and the state of emaciation of the dog is disgraceful.”
Sentence: Five months in jail. Banned from keeping any animal for five years (expired December 2021).
CONVICTED (2016) | Thomas Tony Price, born 3 June 1964, Irish traveller and Welsh gypsy cob dealer of Rover Way Gypsy Site, Cardiff CF24 2RX – repeatedly left his horses to graze on public land; ignored a previous ban imposed for similar cruelty offences.
Tom Price is a serial horse abuser who repeatedly flouts disqualification orders despite being hauled before the courts numerous times
Self-styled ‘Gypsy Horse King’ Price continually ignored a ban on him leaving his horses on land near roads, roundabouts and in other people’s fields..
In July 2013, Price – a former director of Glamorgan Horse Traders Ltd (dissolved in 2014) and then estimated to own 2,500 horses across the country – was banned from any involvement in owning horses for five years and given an eight-month prison sentence. This came after he was found guilty of a total of 57 animal welfare charges and causing unnecessary suffering to 18 horses.
Cob ponies were removed from five different locations across the Vale of Glamorgan and Bridgend, where they were found emaciated and poorly kept. While some were re-homed, the RSPCA was forced to euthanise others.
Price was arrested again in August 2016 after an investigation found he had repeatedly breached the banning order imposed in 2013 and had continued to deal with horses on at least 11 separate occasions.
After his arrest, 70 horses were seized.
Price pleaded guilty to breaching the Animal Disqualification Order (ADO).
The court also issued an injunction to protect a family in a neighbouring farm who had fallen victim to Price’s actions.
South Wales Police also successfully applied for a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO).
Sentence: eight weeks in prison suspended for two years; Criminal Behaviour Order; banned from being within 50 metres of a horse, unless it is on his own land (expired 2018).
Two of Price’s sons are Thomas Hope Price (born 25 July 1986) and Tony John Price (born 23 May 1994) – also involved in Glamorgan Horse Traders Ltd and convicted of horse cruelty in 2013 alongside their father.
Thomas Hope Price
In December 2014 Thomas Hope Price was jailed after stealing his own horses after they’d been seized for fly grazing.
Thomas Tony Price’s long-term partner is Luanne Bishop. In April 2021 she was convicted alongside him on new cruelty charges involving multiple horses and sheep. Full details here.
Their latest location as of April 2021 is Bonvilston, Vale of Glamorgan.
CONVICTED (2016) | Christine Bowe, born c. 1960, of 7 Low Lane, Calne SN11 8EQ- neglected her five Jack Russells by keeping them muzzled for long periods.
Christine Bowe kept her five Jack Russells muzzled for extended periods, causing them discomfort and distress.
Bowe admitted she had caused unnecessary suffering to one of the dogs known as Piglet and failing to meet the needs of her other dogs called Milo, Rosie, Muffy and Mr Blobby through the misuse of muzzles and failing to provide them with a suitable environment to live.
Bowe’s property was cluttered and chaotic.
RSPCA inspector Miranda Albinson told the court that the animal protection charity was first alerted to the dogs after one had been found wandering the streets wearing a muzzle.
After a Facebook post reunited Bowe with her dog, inspectors visited the property and found evidence that the dogs had been forced to wear muzzles for long periods of time.
They also discovered a gosling with an untreated broken beak.
She said: “Muzzles are not an appropriate solution to stop dogs from barking or from causing destruction in the home. Anyone concerned about their dogs displaying unwanted behaviour should seek specialist help.
“Any muzzle must be properly fitted to ensure they do not cause injury, pain or distress and needs to allow a dog to undertake normal activities such as panting, breathing, vomiting and drinking.”
Sentence: total fine/costs of £200. Banned from keeping dogs for five years (expired 2021).
CONVICTED (2016) | Charles Smith, born November 1972, of Bigfield Lodge travellers site, Warrington Road, Runcorn WA7 1RD – neglected five horses, with two having to be put down.
RSPCA inspectors who visited Charles Smith’s stables on Chester Road Daresbury, Warrington WA4 4AL on more than a dozen occasions found that the recycling and skip hire company owner often failed to provide horses on the land with food and water and left them in a field with barbed wire in it.
Officers concerned about the welfare of horses at Ponderosa Stables visited the property a total of 14 times between July and October 2015. They found as many as eight horses, including one that was heavily pregnant, on the land and on occasions discovered that no food or water had been provided to them.
Animals were described as looking underweight and lethargic, while on one occasion a worried member of the public had taken the step of putting hay on Smith’s land for the horses.
Horses were found to be eating ragwort, which could cause them chronic liver damage, during several visits due to the lack of food provided.
The environment the animals were living in was also described as poor, with the field containing barbed and broken wood while concerns were raised about a hole in a hedge that could have led to the horses escaping onto the road.
Smith, who owns Runcorn Recycling Scrap Metal Limited, shouted at officers and claimed that there was nothing wrong with the animals.
Two emaciated mares were described a having ‘suffered unnecessarily’ due to an ‘inadequate’ food supply. Both were later put down, with one having behavioural problems and the other suffering from persistent swelling of the legs.
Smith admitted one count of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and another charge of not fulfilling duties as a person responsible for the welfare of animals.
Sentence: 300 hours of unpaid work; fines of £1,240.80. Banned from keeping animals for a five years (expired 2021).
CONVICTED (2016) | Keane Mitchell Thorpe, Ethan Lewis, Mitch Smith and Seif Naili all of Riddings, near Alfreton, Derbyshire – mutilated the body of a pet cat named Leo supposedly after he had been killed by a dog
Twisted youths from Riddings near Alfreton filmed themselves mutilating the body of much loved family cat Leo
The four cowardly teenagers named above carried out and filmed a disgusting attack on the body of a much-loved family cat in Riddings Park.
Keane Mitchell Thorpe
The boys, who at the time were aged 15, 15, 16 and 17, ‘egged’ each other on as they smashed a rock on the head of the three-year-old cat, hit him with a stick, tied him up with rope before filming and boasting about it on Snapchat.
Mitch Smith
Leo’s badly mutilated body was found on a path by a dog walker at about 2.30pm on August 11, 2016, in the park with multiple injuries and rope tied around its waist.
Seif Naili
A post-mortem examination concluded that Leo was already dead before the attack after bite wounds believed to have been inflicted by a ‘large breed dog’ were found. He had suffered horrific injuries to his abdomen, back, head and chest.
Ethan Lewis
The youths all pleaded guilty to carrying out an act of outraging public decency by behaving in an indecent manner, namely beating a cat. They all appeared in court together with their parents.
The court heard the youths and their families had been subjected to threats after the sickening attack. Windows of their homes had been smashed and they’d been forced to fit panic alarms and live in hotels [gutted for them].
Sentence: The teens each received a 12-month youth referral order and were ordered to pay costs and compensation to the cat’s owner
CONVICTED (2016) | Callum Matthew Thomas Taylor, born 12 October 1990, of Exeter Street, Saltburn-by-the-Sea TS12 1BN – tortured and killed three rabbits.
A “danger to animals”: Callum Taylor from Saltburn, North Yorkshire also has a conviction for sexually assaulting an underage girl.
Convicted sex offender Taylor pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.
John Ellwood, prosecuting, said Taylor caused “serious injuries” to a rabbit called Mischief.
The animal suffered extensive bruising around the mouth and nose, and fractures to the body, collar bone and at least three ribs.
The court heard that “substantial force” must have been required to cause the injuries. Taylor admitted he dropped the rabbit on concrete on more than one occasion.
Mr Ellwood continued: “The defendant, when interviewed, admitted a further offence. Although the rabbit was disposed of before the RSPCA saw it, the defendant admitted that he caused it multiple injuries, trauma and then death by again mishandling it.
“Worryingly in this matter, after the rabbit had died he took it to bed and slept overnight with it.”
On November 4, 2016,Taylor told the RSPCA he had another rabbit. When the RSPCA took that rabbit to a vet it transpired it had smashed teeth and fractures.
Taylor, who has autism, was deemed to be “a danger to animals” by the RSPCA.
Sarah Lish, defending, said Taylor is “doing everything that he can” to help his condition.
She said: “He had these animals because he lived alone and was lonely.”
Sentence: two-year community order; £300 costs. Disqualified from keeping animals for life but can appeal after 10 years.
CONVICTED (2016) | Adam Hoar, born 22 May 1992, of Malvern Crescent, Seaham SR7 8BJ and brother Christopher Hoar, born 16 September 1985, of Woods Terrace, Murton, Seaham SR7 – kicked a hedgehog to death
“Horrible” brothers Christopher Hoar (left) and Adam Hoar.
The evil brothers were caught on camera repeatedly kicking the tiny creature like a football shortly after midnight on July 7, 2016, at Dalton Park retail centre at Murton, County Durham.
The pair admitted inflicting unnecessary suffering contrary to the Wild Mammals Protection Act.
Adam Hoar
Denise Jackman, for the RSPCA, said Adam Hoar initially claimed under caution that they had thought the hedgehog was a football, before admitting the truth.
District Judge Kristina Harrison said: “I cannot see how anybody their size was doing anything other than torturing the hedgehog by kicking it around the place, using it as a football.”
Sentencing the brothers, who hung their heads, she told them: “This is a horrible case where you have tortured an animal who has hurt absolutely nobody and whose numbers in the wild are rapidly dwindling.
“If people feel horrified by the case, quite frankly they are absolutely right to do so.”
Outside court, RSPCA Inspector Helen Nedley who investigated the case said the sentence sent out a message.
She said: “This was a horrible case of cruelty to a completely defenceless animal who did nothing but have the misfortune to cross paths with these brothers.
“The hedgehog was kicked about five times by each man. At one point it was kicked with such force it was propelled into the air and one of the men’s shoes flew off.
“The injuries sustained by this poor creature were horrendous including broken ribs, a broken pelvis and ruptured liver, and it died in the hand of one of the witnesses.
“This kind of cruelty is abhorrent and I am glad that this was taken so seriously by the court today.”
Sentence: jailed for six weeks and ordered to pay £250 each in compensation.
#MostEvil | John Jason McLellan, born c. 1979, of Delarden Road, Pallister Park, Middlesbrough – subjected a helpless dog to a 30-minute beating
John Jason McLellan. Picture: Facebook
Career criminal McLellan, who has previous convictions for heroin dealing, assault and theft, subjected a dog named Bam to such a violent beating that he urinated blood.
Bam’s injuries were consistent with those seen in a road traffic accident
14st brute McLellan stuck the boot into Bam after claiming the dog bit his nose. The beating apparently lasted for 30 minutes and was so vicious, a neighbour could hear sickening “continuous thuds and yelping” through the wall.
“This is not an impulsive one-off attack,” claimed the RSPCA, which brought the prosecution. “It was a prolonged attack.
“(Bam) couldn’t sit down and he was very sore.”
A vet claimed the dog’s injuries were consistent with “blunt trauma”, such as a kicking.
The pet dog’s testicles and abdomen were injured in the attack, while bubbles of air could be felt during the check-up.
The attack happened in June 2016 but, four months later, the animal was still receiving veterinary treatment.
McLellan pleaded guilty on Friday 14/10/16 to causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.
Another dog belonging to Bam’s owner, Denise Jaffray, went missing earlier in 2016 and has never been found.
Sentence: 12 weeks’ custody, suspended for 18-months; 30-day rehabilitation order, £500 costs. Banned from keeping animals for just 10 years (expires December 2026)
Graham Coombes was the ringleader of a blood-thirsty gang who set savage dogs on foxes, deer, rabbits, badgers – and even a llama – in bid to ‘kill as much wildlife as possible’
Eleven men were sentenced – three receiving jail terms – for their part in a series of “abhorrent” attacks by dogs on deer, badgers and foxes. Graphic and distressing video footage found on the mobile phone of the ringleader Graham Coombes was shown in court, showing dogs savaging badgers and deer as the accused looked on and gave encouragement.
Brian Forrest, director of Hunter Electrical SW Ltd
Analysis of one of the men’s phones revealed thousands of text messages, including one in which he claimed to have used his dogs to kill 178 deer, 894 rabbits, 28 foxes and 22 hares in just six months.
Jeremy Cave, prosecuting for the RSPCA, said the ‘primary motivation seems to be gratuitous pleasure’.
Mr Cave said the group would go out ‘lamping’ – using powerful lamps at night to startle and stun deer before setting dogs, usually lurchers, on them.
He said their aim was ‘to kill as much wildlife as possible’.
Mr Cave said Coombes was at the ‘centre of the operation, organising nights out, posting trophy pictures on social media’.
Pheon Radford
The other men involved were Oliver Blatch, Kenneth Danes, Gethyn Durham, Brian Forrest, Dean McGrath, Joseph O’Connor, Pheon Radford, Ryan Robinson, Philip Cross and Daniel Ravenscroft.
Mr Cave said that of the 27 offences, 22 were related to killing or attacking deer with dogs, four matters were of animal welfare issues relating to the dogs – including neglect – and another was the possession of a dangerous dog.
Graham Coombes organised animal hunting that involved the training of dogs who were ‘[his] tools; tools to hunt and kill’.
The court heard how a search of Coombes’ land by Trading Standards found a pile of animal carcasses with at least 20 separate skulls at the top of the heap.
The incinerator operator informed RSPCA investigators they disposed of 604 kilos of animal products, all believed to be from hunts.
Coombes also got another person to shoot his severely injured dog after it had been fighting a badger ‘for four hours’.
Details of offences and sentencing:
Graham Coombes, born 05/07/1975 a groundworker of Abbey Road, Bovey Tracey, Devon TQ13 9HZ pleaded guilty to three counts of intentionally killing deer at night on different dates in 2014. He pleaded guilty to two counts of willfully killing a badger and one of willfully injuring a badger. He pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a terrier called Marley by failing to treat its injuries. Coombes was sentenced to a total of 20 weeks in prison. He was ordered to pay £3,000 court costs and £60 victim surcharge. He was disqualified from keeping dogs for life.
Oliver Blatch
Oliver Blatch , born 08/07/1989 of Pines Close, Wincanton BA9 9SJ pleaded guilty to two counts of killing deer at night. District Judge Baker noted Blatch was of previous good character before sentencing him to a total of eight weeks, suspended for one year, to complete 180 hours’ unpaid leave, pay £800 court costs and £60 victim surcharge.
Kenneth Danes, born 01/04/1987, of Otterford Gypsy Park, Culmhead near Taunton TA3 7DX pleaded guilty to two counts of killing deer at night. District Judge Baker noted he was a hardworking man of good character and his early guilty plea. She sentenced him to a total of eight weeks suspended for 12 months and ordered him to pay £800 court costs, £60 victim surcharge and to forfeit his dog Cruz.
Joseph O’Connor from Pontardawe, near Swansea
Joseph O’Connor, born 30/04/1993, a farmhand at Perthigwynion Farm, Pontardawe near Swansea SA8 4TA, admitted three charges of killing deer in 2014. District Judge Baker told O’Connor the killing of deer was “absolutely abhorrent, it’s barbaric”. However, she recognised his probation report showed genuine remorse and he was of previous good character. She also recognised his advocate’s observation that he was of “limited ability” and his “sense of shame”. She told him he had worked in agriculture his whole life yet despite that he involved himself in the killing of deer. He handed him a nine-week jail sentence, suspended for 12 months. He also had to complete 200 hours’ unpaid work, pay £800 court costs and £80 victim surcharge.
Gethyn Durham, born 05/06/1989, a landscape gardener of Marl Court, Cwmbran, Gwent NP44 5TY, admitted one count of killing a deer. He also pleaded guilty to possession of a pitbull-type dangerous dog and five charges of keeping other dogs in an unsuitable environment. District Judge Baker said she accepted his dog Bonnie was a “beloved family pet” but according to his probation report “[Durham] shows little remorse and has antipathy for the RSPCA and their work”.
Gethyn Durham from Cwmbran, South Wales
Durham was jailed for six weeks followed by 12 months’ supervision. He was ordered to pay £800 court costs and £115 victim surcharge. As his partner broke down in the public gallery, District Judge Baker told Durham the legislation regarding dangerous dogs “ties my hands” and she ordered the dog be destroyed. Durham was also told he was disqualified from owning dogs for five years.
Brian Forrest from Taunton, Somerset
Brian Forrest, 29/02/1976, owner of Brian Forrest Electrical (now Hunter Electrical SW Ltd), of Alfred Street, Taunton TA1 3HY, pleaded guilty to a single count of killing deer. District Judge Baker also noted how he was of previous good character and he had shown genuine remorse. She sentenced him to six weeks jail, suspended for a year, to complete 140 hours unpaid work, pay £800 court costs and £60 victim surcharge. She also ordered him to forfeit his dog Eve.
Dean McGrath from Cwmbran, South Wales
Dean McGrath aka Dean Johns, born 30/07/1987, of Neerings, Coed Eva, Cwmbran NP44 6UG, pleaded guilty to a single count of killing deer. McGrath was handed a six week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months. District Judge Baker ordered him to complete 160 hours’ unpaid work, pay £800 court costs and £60 victim surcharge. He was also ordered to forfeit his dog Blue.
Pheon Radford from Pentre
Pheon Alex Radford, born 14/05/1994, owner of PR Carpentry Ltd and of Wyndham Street, Ystrad, Pentre CF41 7BA, pleaded guilty to killing a deer and causing unnecessary suffering to a dog. District Judge Baker said Radford left his dog Scar to suffer from an “unpleasant” injury and listed previous scars on its body. She said he had deliberately travelled from Wales to take part in the deer hunts with Cross. She sentenced him to a total of 10 weeks, suspended for 12 months; to complete 150 hours’ unpaid work, pay £800 court costs and £60 victim surcharge. He was also disqualified from keeping dogs for three years and to forfeit his dog Scar.
Ryan P Robinson, born 19/04/1996 and of Queens Gate, Queen Street, Newton Abbot TQ12 2EY, admitted taking a deer without the consent of the owner. He was handed a 12 month community order, must take part in a 10 day rehabilitation requirement, complete 200 hours’ unpaid work and pay £800 court costs and a victim surcharge of £85.
Philip Cross
Philip Cross, born 01/04/1980 and of Bryn Ivor St, Tonypandy CF40 2TL was found guilty after trial of killing deer at night. He was jailed for eight weeks and disqualified for keeping dogs for five years. He was ordered to pay £4,000 court costs and £80 victim surcharge.
Daniel Ravenscroft from Buckfastleigh, Devon
Daniel Ravenscroft, born 21/05/1979 and of Pearroc Vean, Grange Rd, Buckfastleigh, Devon TQ11 0EH was found guilty after trial of killing deer at night. District Judge Baker said she took into account his early guilty plea and his 10 years’ service in the British Army. She noted he had given up his dog voluntarily and his probation report spoke of how he recognised how low he had fallen and the devastation it had caused him, leaving him “so embarrassed, so remorseful and so ashamed”.
Ravenscroft was sentenced to six weeks’ custody, suspended for 12 months, to complete 200 hours’ unpaid work, forfeit his dog and pay £4,000 court costs and £60 victim surcharge.
Speaking outside of court, RSPCA Chief Inspector Will Mitchell said Coombes’ phone contained around 30,000 images ‘mostly depicting wildlife crime and the use of dogs to kill wildlife, around 11,000 text messages, and videos’.
The texts contained a series of ‘colloquial descriptions of animals, so for badgers they were described as ‘pigs, ‘black and whites’, ‘humbugs’ and ‘smellies’.
He said: ‘There would be the bravado in terms of the type of dogs used and the successes of the dogs. They wanted them for the fight, for destruction.
‘They might say this was sport or pest control – but it’s blood lust.’
CONVICTED (2016) | Robert White, born 05/03/1982, of Rogerfield Road, Erdington, Birmingham B23 5UT – tried to get a kitten high on cannabis and then burnt him with a candle causing fatal injuries.
Robert White pictured outside court
Rafe Turner, prosecuting, said the kitten had been brought to be seen by a veterinary surgeon by the defendant’s partner the day after he was attacked.
He said: “It was in a collapsed and cold state and smelt of dirty water. He had dried candle wax on his nose and head and what looked like burns on his face.” Mr Turner said the animal was found to have third-degree full-thickness burns covering 70 to 80% of his head and that blisters were also found on his paws.
He said: “These injuries resulted ultimately in him being sadly put to sleep a couple of days later.”
Mr Turner said White had been quizzed by his partner’s sister as to what had happened and said he had been trying to “get it stoned and give it blow backs.”
When interviewed the defendant admitted sharing joint responsibility of Salem with his partner and said he had been smoking with his friends and that the kitten had been “singed a couple of times.”
He said that one of his mates had actually burnt the cat who had reacted by running away. He said his mate had just been “messing about” and that he felt “bad” about what happened.
Daniel Wayne, defending, said White was addicted to amphetamine and also had an obsessive and compulsive disorder. He said: “This is a man who does not have any similar previous offences and is plagued by mental health problems.”
Magistrates told White they had thought seriously about passing an immediate prison sentence but had taken into account the mitigation.
After the hearing RSPCA inspector Beth Boyd said: “It was just horrific. It is one of the worst cases I have had to investigate.
“I cannot even think about what Salem must have gone through that night. At least some justice has been done for him.”
Sentence: four months in jail suspended for 18 months; total of £465 costs/charges. Banned indefinitely from keeping any animal.
