CONVICTED (2019) | Peter Gladstone, born c. 1999, of Rosehaugh Road, Inverness IV3 – admitted charge of bestiality after being coerced by another man into having sexual activity with a dog
Beast Peter Gladstone raped a dog and was also exposed as a paedophile by vigilantes
Gladstone admitted a charge of bestiality, committed between May 5 and June 17 2018 in his home. He also pleaded guilty to possessing extreme pornographic images of himself and the dog.
Defence solicitor Willie Young told Sheriff Gordon Fleetwood: “He had never met the man concerned. But he carried out these acts because he was coerced into committing these acts or the relationship would come to an end.
“He is sickened by his behaviour. This is a young man who has on-going needs and continuing assessment.”
Since Gladstone had been in custody for several months, Sheriff Fleetwood told him: “This time you have spent in custody is punishment enough.”
But he placed Gladstone under three years of social work supervision and ordered him to participate in a sex offender’s programme.
CONVICTED (2019) | Martin Harrison, born c. 1960, of Belvedere Road, Christchurch BH23 1PT – fed his two dogs a diet of cheese and rice pudding until they became so fat they couldn’t walk
Martin Harrison overfed his two dogs and neglected their health
Martin Harrison was convicted of two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to Staffies Brucie and Lucy and one of failing to provide veterinary care after allowing the dogs to become so overweight they were ‘barrel-shaped’ and buckled under their sheer size.
Although Harrison blamed his late mother for over-feeding the two dogs, he confessed to occasionally spoiling them with ‘cakes and doggy treats’.
Brucie’s obesity caused him to collapse. He is now thriving.
The dogs were ‘panting heavily’ after being seized by RSPCA inspectors.
During the time Harrison owned the dogs, Brucie’s weight ballooned from a healthy 46lbs to 82lbs. Lucy’s weight increased to 75lbs and she had a chronic ear condition which was not treated.
Brucie’s weight almost doubled from a healthy 46lbs to 82lbs while Lucy’s bulk ballooned to 75lbs after Harrison took ownership of them in 2014.
She also had a “significant” ear condition which was ignored.
The pair have since been put on a strict diet and now weigh a svelte 50lbs each.
Lucy has also had an op to repair her ear.
Both dogs have now been permanently confiscated from Harrison after a hearing at Poole Magistrates’ Court.
Jeremy Lake, prosecuting, said: “Both dogs were grossly obese and barrel-like when they were seized.
“Brucie was panting constantly and laying down in the consulting room. He had fatty deposits around his neck and back.
“Lucy was also overweight and she had a chronic ear disease caused over a long time.”
Harrison, who lived with his mother, bought Brucie and Lucy on Gumtree in November 2014.
The defendant represented himself in court. He said his late mother, who had Alzheimer’s, would feed the dogs fatty food, despite him repeatedly asking her not to.
Fed a proper diet and given the veterinary treatment they needed, both dogs recovered in the care of the RSPCA
He said he could not afford to take Lucy to the vets for a period of time, and blamed former Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Iain Duncan Smith for stopping his benefits.
“My dogs are my children. I miss them like crazy and I just want them back. I’ve got no one else,” he said.
“Any missed vet appointments can be blamed on Iain Duncan Smith. My benefits were stopped and I had no money.”
Sentencing: total of £280 in fines, costs and charges. Disqualified from owning or keeping animals for two years (expired 2021).
CONVICTED (2019) | Lynda Elizabeth Went, born c. 1951, of Lake View Bungalow, Alford Road, Thoresthorpe, Alford LN13 9HU – for causing unnecessary suffering to horses in her care.
Went pleaded guilty to two charges, namely:
Between July 13, 2018 and September 13, 2018, at Thoresthorpe, caused unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, namely four Arab type horses, by an act, namely by failing to explore and address their overgrown hooves.
On or before September 13, 2018, at Thoresthorpe, did not take such steps as were reasonable in all circumstances to ensure that the needs of an animal for which you were responsible, namely two Arab stallions, were met to the extent required by good practice in that you did not ensure their need for a suitable environment in which to live.
Sentencing: For the first offence, Went was handed a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months. During the 18-month supervision period, the defendant must also carry out 60 hours of unpaid work. Went was also ordered to pay £250 in court costs and a £115 victim surcharge. Two ‘Section 33’ orders were made to deprive Went of ownership of the horses, and a ‘Section 34’ order was imposed to disqualify her from owning horses, keeping horses, participating in keeping horses, and from being party to an arrangement under which the defendant is entitled to control or influence the way in which they are kept, for a period of five years (expires January 2024).
For the second offence, Went was handed a 12-week concurrent suspended prison sentence.
CONVICTED (2019) | professional dog walker Jacqueline Wilkins, born c. 1972, of Dorset Grove, Pudsey, Leeds LS28 7EN – caught on CCTV abusing a customer’s pet
Professional dog walker Jacqui Wilkins was caught on camera terrorising one of the dogs she was meant to be looking after
Jacqui Wilkins, owner of dog-walking service Wilkins Walkies, was caught on camera striking boxer Bella twice and shouting at her repeatedly when the dog would not stay still long enough for her to remove her harness after a walk.
Petrified: Bella’s owner noticed changes in her pet’s behaviour during the time in the ‘care’ of professional dog walker Jacqui Wilkins
In footage captured on CCTV cameras inside the home of Bella’s owners Gary Hirtsch and Louise Williams, Wilkins can be heard shouting “You’re not doing as you’re told, are you?” and “Do you want another smack?”
Leeds Magistrates’ Court heard the couple had hired Wilkins when Miss Williams broke her wrist and was unable to walk Bella and their other dog, Coco.
Bella’s owners checked CCTV footage recorded in their home after noticing a change in the dog’s behaviour. They made a report to the RSPCA after seeing the footage.
Prosecutor Andrew Davidson said: “What you can see there is what the defendant now accepts was unnecessarily rough treatment. The prosecution say there’s very rarely any reason for using that type of behaviour to discipline a dog.”
Wilkins Walkies is happily defunct .
Wilkins admitted failing to meet the needs of a dog by protecting it from injury or distress. She had initially pleaded not guilty but changed her plea following expert evidence about the psychological damage Bella may have suffered.
A separate charge of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal was dismissed.
Magistrates were told that Wilkins had experienced a “moment of madness” and felt she was disciplining Bella at the time, but now recognised her behaviour was wrong.
The court heard she was of previous good character and had told her clients about the case, prompting a number to write references and two of them to attend court in support.
A probation officer also reported that Wilkins had reflected on the harm she may have caused Bella and was “completely remorseful” about her actions.
Dog abuser Jacqueline Wilkins
Speaking afterwards, Mr Hirtsch said: “I feel relieved. We had put her in a position of trust. I think they’ve done the right thing for the safety of the other dogs.”
He said Bella’s behaviour had changed significantly following the incident, adding: “Bella was so friendly, but then she was reluctant to go out. She used to cower on the sofa.
Wilkins was visibly upset as she left the courtroom after being told that she would not be allowed to keep her own dog, Bentley, during the two-year ban.
Friend and client Janet Pearson said: “Obviously she’s not going to have an income now but the thing she’s most upset about is losing her dog. Her dog is like her baby.
“I think the court has made an example of her. If I thought she didn’t care and was cruel, clearly there’s no way she would look after mine. It’s not just a business to her though. Dogs are her life.
“She’s worried about her clients too. What are they going to do?”
Sentencing: 12-month community order with 100 hours of unpaid work and an RSPCA education programme; total of £385 in costs and charges. Banned from keeping or caring for any dogs for two years – later reduced on appeal to just three months (expired).
CONVICTED (2019) | Jason Michael Addinall, born 15 October 1970, and Yvonne Addinall, born 26 May 1972, of Hewley Avenue, Tang Hall, York YO10 3TG – left their dog to suffer with a severe skin condition, conjunctivitis and badly overgrown nails
Neglectful dog owners Yvonne and Jason Addinall failed to seek veterinary treatment for their Lhasa Apso’s multiple health issues.
Jason and Yvonne Addinall pleaded guilty to three charges of animal neglect committed between January 1 and August, 2018 for the severe neglect of their Lhasa apso, named Hendrix.
Hendrix is recovering well since being taken into the care of the RSPCA.
Lhaso Apso Hendrix was badly neglected by the Addinalls but happily made a full recovery
The couple’s lawyer said his clients had been under pressure when they neglected their dog.
Yvonne Addinall had been hospitalised with meningitis and pneumonia from January to March 2018 and her husband’s thoughts had concentrated on her and not the dog.
Sentencing: Jason Addinall was fined £450 with a £45 statutory surcharge and Yvonne Addinall was fined £200 with a £30 statutory surcharge. Each was also ordered to pay £150 prosecution costs to the RSPCA. Both were banned from keeping dogs for three years (expired January 2022).
CONVICTED (2019) | Stefan Zelan, born July 1983, of Hope Road, Kirkmuirhill, Lanark ML11 – failed to seek veterinary treatment for his cat’s broken leg
Zelan pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering by failing to provide veterinary treatment for his cat’s broken leg under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006, Section 19(2)(a)(b).
Bonnie was found with an unexplained leg injury which her owner Stefan Zelan failed to treat
Commenting on the investigation and court case, inspector Emma Sergeant said, “The charge was dealt as Zelan failed to provide veterinary treatment to his cat, Bonnie.
“Bonnie, a black and white domestic long haired type cat, was found to be suffering from a broken leg that had been left untreated by her owner.
“Upon veterinary examination, x-rays showed that the fracture had started to heal and was unfortunately not able to be fixed. The decision was taken for her leg to be amputated.
“Thankfully, she made a full recovery, is pain free and is coping well on three legs.
“She will be transferred to one of our rescue centres where she will stay until she finds her new, loving forever home.
“I am happy that the courts have dealt with this case and the sentence passed down. Bans send an important message that owning an animal is a privilege rather than a right.”
Sentencing: 18-month community payback order. Three-year ban from owning or keeping animals (expired 2022).
CONVICTED (2019) | Gary Sean Chadwick, born 15 January 1999, of Firbeck, Skelmersdale WN8 6PN – battered a 20-week-old kitten and left her to suffer an agonising death
Gary Chadwick pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court.
He killed the grey and white kitten, named Smokey, after he hit her so hard that he caused multiple fractures, kidney damage and significant bruising.
The kitten likely suffered for “many hours” according to the vet who carried out the post-mortem.
A carer for Chadwick, who has autism and had also previously been on medication for schizophrenia , discovered the kitten after she saw her struggling to use her front legs and heard her wailing in pain before she died.
She said Chadwick was acting “shifty”, claiming the cat always made those noises when it used the litter tray.
The carer left the house and called the RSPCA to report Chadwick for animal cruelty.
When interviewed, Chadwick claimed he had only ever slapped Smokey once during her short life but said he never threw or kicked her.
David Lloyd, defending, told Liverpool Magistrates’ Court: “I don’t think he intended to deliberately hurt the kitten.”
Adding: “He has asked me to inform the court, to say he was fond of the kitten.”
Inspector Joanne McDonald said: “We will never know the exact details of how the kitten came to have these injuries but from what the expert witnesses told the court it must have been terrible.
“Smokey was only 20 weeks old and the suffering she must have endured after the attack must have been terrible.”
Sentencing: two-year conditional discharge. Banned from keeping animals for 10 years (expires January 2029).
CONVICTED (2019) | Yvonne McAllister, born 1963, of Wordsworth Close, Oswaldtwistle, Accrington BB5 4QP – kept a poorly Westie in a dirty and flea-infested cage under the stairs of her home
Cruel Yvonne McAllister pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to the West Highland terrier known as Bobby.
The dog was spotted by a district nurse during a visit to McAllister’s home.
Image showing McAllister’s appalling neglect of Westie Bobby
The court heard how McAllister told the nurse that Bobby had a skin condition for which she had bought shampoo but hadn’t taken him to the vet.
She had also bought clippers but Bobby ‘wouldn’t let anyone near him to cut his nails’.
An RSPCA officer later attended the property and said he was ‘unrecognisable to him as a West Highland Terrier’ with grey skin which was ‘leather-like, thick and dry’.
The officer said Bobby must have had the skin condition for an ‘extended period of time’ and he was ‘subdued, lethargic and reluctant to move’. When he asked to take the dog to a vet McAllister refused and said she wanted an independent assessment.
Bobby had to be put to sleep to end his immense suffering caused by Yvonne McAllister’s long-term neglect of him.
RSPCA prosecutor Paul Ridehalgh said Bobby’s skin was pink with ears ‘twice the size’ as normal and his paws were ‘overgrown and had begun to twist’.
Police were called to the property and Bobby was taken to the Myerscough Veterinary Group. Mr Ridehalgh said Bobby had to be carried into the consultancy room because he was ‘unable to walk’ and ‘so weak he could not stand up’.
The vet said his nose was ‘dry and cracked’ and she couldn’t examine his ear canal because it was ‘too inflamed’. His eyes were also covered with a ‘thick green discharge’.
The prosecutor said: ‘In the vet’s opinion he was in a very poor condition. She observed that she had never seen an animal in such a condition previously.’
The court was told that Bobby ‘highly likely had an underlying systemic disease’ which led to ‘secondary bacterial infection’.
Mr Ridehalgh said the dog had suffered ‘for a period of at least several months and possibly longer’ and had to be put down after ‘long-term neglect’.
McAllister said she couldn’t afford to take Bobby to the vet and ‘nothing was done on purpose’.
Sentencing: 12-month community order with 50 hours of unpaid work, a three-month curfew, ordered to pay £600 costs. Banned from owning or keeping animals for five years (expires January 2024) .
