Monthly Archives: October 2019

Bestiality / Zoophilia, Paedophiles / Sex Offenders

Norwich: Jack Butler

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CONVICTED (2019) | Jack Butler, born c. October 1997, previously of Stanley Street in Derby DE22 and at date of sentencing Beechwood Drive, Thorpe St Andrew, Norwich NR7 – caught with child and animal porn

Child and animal porn pervert Jack Butler, now of Norwich, UK
Child and animal porn pervert Jack Butler, now of Norwich

Butler was caught with sick child abuse images and movies showing people engaged in sex acts with animals. Police came across the vile photographs and films when they raided his then address in Derby.

Analysis of Butler’s MacBook uncovered all three categories of indecent images, the most serious of which typically show young children carrying out sex acts with adults.

Derby Crown Court heard how since his arrest in October 2018 Butler has lost his university place and relocated to Norwich.

But he was spared an immediate prison term after seeking out help from a specialist charity and being deemed at low risk of re-offending.

Lauren Butts, prosecuting, said police attended Butler’s then address in Stanley Street on October 23, 2018 as an internet (IP) address from the home had been linked to downloading child abuse images.

She said analysis of his MacBook uncovered 16 extreme pornographic images showing humans and animals engaged in sexual activity.

Also found were 44 of the most serious category A indecent child images, 60 category B and 43 category C.

Miss Butts said: “It is fair to say the police got them because the defendant told them where they were.”

She did not reveal to the court the ages of the children involved

Butler was arrested and pleaded guilty to four counts of possessing the illegal images.

Gareth Gimson, mitigating, said his client has lost his university place.

He said: “He is working with a charity called ‘Stop It Now’ and receiving counselling.

“His mum and dad sit in court and he knows he has brought an incredible amount of shame not just on himself but on them.”

Sentencing: 10-month prison sentence suspended for two years. Ordered to sign the sex offender’s register for 10 years and given sexual harm prevention order restricting his computer and internet use. He is to undertake 100 hours of unpaid work and 20 rehabilitation sessions with the probation service.

Derby Telegraph

Dogs, Lifers

Dewsbury, West Yorkshire: Steven Field

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CONVICTED (2019) | Steven Field , born c. 1961, of Smithy Place, Dewsbury WF12 0HG – for unspecified cruelty offences relating to a dog

Field failed to ensure that a dog received appropriate veterinary care between April 19 and May 17, 2019.

Sentencing | curfew; total of £385 costs and charges. Banned from owning or keeping animals for life.

ExaminerLive

Dogs

Wyken, Coventry: Adam and Shelbie Cook

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CONVICTED (2019) | Adam Cook, born c. 1992, and wife Shelbie Cook (née Keenan), born c. 1996, of Attoxhall Road, Wyken, Coventry CV2 – allowed their pet dog to become severely underweight and failed to get treatment for her skin condition

Animal abusers Adam and Shelbie Cook from Coventry, UK

Adam and Shelbie Cooke pleaded guilty to three charges under the Animal Welfare Act in relation to their two-year-old dog named Sassy.

The American bulldog had fur loss over her face, legs and ears and smelt of yeast due to the nasty skin infection. She was so underfed her ribs, hips and spine could be seen through her skin and her nails were very overgrown. She weighed just 19.3kg when her normal weight should have been 30kg.

American bulldog Sassy was starved and neglected by Adam and Shelbie Cook
American bulldog Sassy was starved and neglected by Adam and Shelbie Cook

In mitigation the couple claimed they had been in financial hardship.

Sassy’s ordeal only came to an end when RSPCA inspector Louise Marston visited the couple’s home following a report from a concerned member of the public in March 2019.

She immediately saw that Sassy was suffering with a bad skin condition and was severely underweight.

Animal abuser Adam Cook from Coventry, UK

Adam Cook allowed Sassy to be taken by Inspector Marston for veterinary treatment while an investigation took place, but refused to sign her over into RSPCA care.

But Sassy was taken into the possession of West Midlands Police under the Animal Welfare Act after a veterinary examination suggested she had suffered unnecessarily.

Following an interview with Inspector Marston a few days later, Adam Cook agreed to sign Sassy over into RSPCA care.

Abused dog Sassy looking healthy and happy
Sassy has recovered in the care of the RSPCA

Inspector Marston said: “As soon as I took Sassy to the vets I offered her water which she gulped down and the vet concluded she was borderline dehydrated. I also offered her food and she was ravenous.

“Her skin was in a terrible condition and her itching had caused fur loss and made some skin thicken, which suggests long-term irritation.

“She was also severely underweight but there was dog food in the house.

“The vet concluded that she had suffered in this way for weeks to months which must have been awful for her.”

Animal abusers Shelbie Cook and Adam Cook from Coventry

Inspector Marston added: “There is never any excuse for not taking pets to a vet if they require treatment. Many vets will offer a payment plan to help spread the cost and there are charities who can help with vet bills.

“I am delighted to say that in the care of the RSPCA Sassy has had her skin condition treated and is back to a normal weight and has now been rehomed.”

Sentencing | Both were given a 12-month community order involving 80 hours of unpaid work and a 15-day rehabilitation activity requirement. Ordered to pay £335 costs and charges each. Banned from keeping dogs for five years (expires October 2024).

CoventryLive

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

Frome, Somerset: Carl Athey

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CONVICTED (2019) | Carl Steven Athey, born 25 September 1991, of Dorset Close, Frome BA11 3HL – kicked and strangled a border collie to death

Dog killer Carl Steven Athey of Frome in Somerset

Carl Athey was sentenced to 20 weeks in prison after he was convicted of animal cruelty for kicking and strangling a four-year-old border collie named Gracie to death.

Dog killer Carl Athey's partner Robyn Garman with Gracie
Gracie with Robyn Garman. Garman is standing by Athey despite his conviction for killing her dog

Gracie belonged to Athey’s partner, Robyn Nicole Garman, who is standing by him.

Cruelty victim Gracie died from multiple injuries inflicted by Carl Athey

Athey, who owns two other dogs – Jack Russell terriers Ruby and Chloe – was convicted of two counts of physical harm to Gracie, which ultimately resulted in the dog’s death.

Cruelty victim Gracie died from multiple injuries inflicted by Carl Athey
Gracie died from multiple injuries following a series of attacks by Carl Athey

The second of these counts left her so badly injured she was presented to vets in an unresponsive and comatose state and was ultimately put down.

The vets then contacted the RSPCA to investigate.

Dog killer Carl Athey's partner Robyn Garman with Gracie

A post mortem examination showed a number of recent blunt force trauma injuries including three broken ribs, liver damage consistent with a kick, blunt force trauma to the head and signs of strangulation on the neck.

According to the RSPCA, Athey denied responsibility for Gracie’s injuries, claiming on the first occasion that he had tripped while holding a shopping bag while failing to provide any explanation for her severe injuries on the second.

Dog killer Carl Athey from Frome in Somerset, UK

He did admit to being the only person in the house at the time of Gracie’s injuries.

Dog killer Carl Athey's partner Robyn Garman with Gracie

RSPCA Inspector Miranda Albinson, who investigated for the charity, said: “This saddening case involved a defenceless dog who lost her life because of the series of serious injuries that had been caused by Athey.

“The veterinary reports and the post mortem exposed the deliberate ill-treatment which tragically led to her death.

“There is never an excuse for harming an animal or for failing to treat an animal with the kindness and respect they deserve.”

Sentencing: 20 weeks in jail; total of £865 costs and charges; deprivation order for Ruby and Chloe. Banned from keeping animals for life.

SomersetLive

Additional information

Several friends of Carl Athey have come to his defence today (19/10/2019) and to protest his innocence. It is suggested that Athey’s partner is in some way involved in Gracie’s death and that other animals in the household Robyn Garman shares with Athey and her seven-year-old son have come to harm. One or two have said that Gracie may even have been harmed by the child. Garman herself has this to say:


We may never know the truth, but if the allegations about a child being to blame for Gracie’s death are true then that is extremely concerning and there absolutely must be intervention by social services.

Dogs, Paedophiles / Sex Offenders, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers

Bolton, Greater Manchester: Kieran Huelin

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CONVICTED (2019) | Kieran Huelin, born 26 August 1983, of Felton Walk, Bolton BL1 8EN – caught on camera hitting and shouting at his pet dog.

Animal abuser and paedophile Kieran Huelin from Bolton, Greater Manchester, UK

Huelin, a convicted paedophile, pleaded guilty to failing to protect the dog from pain, injury, suffering and disease.

In a video released by the RSPCA, the then 36-year-old is seen walking around his flat while his brindle and white Staffordshire bull terrier Rosie is sat on an armchair.

In the two-minute video, Huelin waves a finger in her face before slapping her once. Rosie gets off the chair and follows Huelin before he ushers her back onto the chair.

He threatens to hit Rosie on a few more occasions, raising his fist in the air and putting his finger in her face, before appearing to slap her down again twice.

In the footage, Huelin looks unsteady on his feet and stumbles backwards on one occasion.

After being sent the video and some details of where the incident reportedly took place, the RSPCA investigated and inspector Danni Jennings visited an address on June 14, 2019.

Inspector Jennings recognised Huelin who lived at the flat as the man in the video and Rosie was also there. She also recognised the interior from the video.

Huelin signed Rosie over into RSPCA care while an investigation took place.

Staffy Rosie was subjected to violence by Kieran Huelin of Bolton, Greater Manchester, UK
Abuse victim Rosie

Inspector Jennings said in her witness statement that Rosie was in good bodily condition and was friendly and playful but showed submissive behaviour.

She said: “Dog owners should always make sure their pets are handled properly and not stressed or endangered with any aggressive or anti-social behaviour.

“Training should always be reward-based and should not include physical punishment as this may cause pain, suffering and distress.

“Rosie is a lovely and bouncy dog in real life but on this footage she is quite the opposite.”

Rosie is now in the care of the RSPCA and will be placed up for adoption soon.

Sentencing | 12-month community order – including an alcohol treatment order. Ordered to pay £800 costs, as well as an £85 victim surcharge. Banned from keeping animals for five years.

Bolton News
Manchester Evening News

Cats

Overstone, Northampton: Thomas Keenan

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CONVICTED (2019) | Thomas J Keenan, born 1972, of Hamsterly Park, Northampton NN3 5DX – failed to get treatment for his pet cat’s severe leg injury.

Cat abuser Thomas Keenan from Northampton, UK

Keenan pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to his cat, Beauty.

The court heard how the RSPCA were called in after receiving reports from a concerned member of the public who said Beauty had a serious leg injury that had not been treated.

RSPCA Inspector Michelle Hare visited on July 13, 2019, and could see that there was a problem with Beauty’s back left leg.

Neglected cat Beauty

The leg was twisted inwards and looked floppy, the cat was unable to put any weight on it so, with Keenan’s permission, she took Beauty for veterinary treatment.

The vet said that Beauty had a broken femur and the bone had rubbed on her skin causing an abscess that had become infected.

He added that he estimated the pet had suffered for about three weeks.

Beauty had her leg amputated but has made a great recovery and has now been rehomed by the RSPCA.

Inspector Hare said: “We still are not sure how Beauty came to be injured but believed she may have been involved in a car accident.

“She had a nasty injury and she was struggling to walk so should have been taken to the vets straight away. Many vets will offer a payment plan to help spread the cost and there are charities who can help with vet bills.”.”

His other two cats will also be rehomed by the RSPCA.

In mitigation, the court was told that Keenan was aware of the injury but could not afford veterinary treatment.

Sentencing: 120 hours of unpaid work; £385 costs. Banned from keeping animals for 10 years (expires October 2029).

Northampton Chronicle

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

St Helens, Merseyside: Sean Wisbey

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Dog killer Sean Wisbey from Merseyside, UK

Sean Wisbey, who goes by the name David Wisbey, callously killed his partner’s Yorkshire Terrier and injured another so badly she had to be put to sleep.

His cruelty came to light when his on-off partner, with whom he had had a row, returned home and was horrified to find what he had done to her beloved pets.

One of the two dogs attacked by Sean Wisbey of Merseyside, UK
One of the two dogs attacked and killed by Sean Wisbey

After finding seven-year-old Rosie dead, the heart-broken victim, Brenda Prescott, eventually found the other dog, Tricker, hiding under a pile of laundry.

She desperately tried to keep her alive but the animal later had to be euthanised by a vet.

Wisbey pleaded guilty to two offences of destroying property, namely the dogs.

Dog killer Sean Wisbey from Merseyside, UK

Judge Rachel Smith said that he had done it to get back at Ms Prescott, and had carried out two acts of extreme violence intended to shock and hurt her.

Ember Wong, prosecuting, told the court that the couple had had an on-off relationship over the years.

A few days before the offences they rowed and he threatened to cut her dogs’ throats, a threat he had also made previously. She left and when she returned he had gone.

He called at her St Helens home on April 11, 2019, and she allowed him in to have a shower and change his clothes and she went out shortly before 6 pm.

Dog killer Sean Wisbey from Merseyside, UK

When she returned about three hours later she saw the curtains were shut and the dogs were not barking.

Miss Wong said: “She got in and shouted their names but there was no answer. She looked around but could not find them and asked a neighbour to help her look for them.

“In the lounge she lifted up some curtains and a blanket on the floor and found Rosie lying lifeless and covered in blood.

“One of her back legs was facing the wrong way and she knew she was dead.”

Ms Prescott eventually found Tricker hiding under some laundry upstairs and for the next few days looked after her by feeding her by hand and giving her water from a spoon.

She eventually took her to the RSPCA where she was examined and found to have a broken pelvis. The distraught owner agreed she should be put to sleep to end her suffering.

Post-mortem examinations revealed that Rosie’s injuries included multiple skull fractures caused by blunt force trauma and a lacerated liver. Her skull injuries are believed to have been caused by pressure being applied on both sides of her head.

Two-year-old Tricker was also found to have suffered blunt force trauma and had various bruises and abrasions to her body and legs and a number of fractures to her pelvis.

Career criminal Sean Wisbey has some distinctive tattoos

Wisbey was arrested on the night of the incident after Ms Prescott called the police after finding Rosie. He was found near the house and said, “What are you on about?”.

Miss Wong said that he was handcuffed and taken to a police car but tried to smash a window in the vehicle with the cuffs, having to be taken to the floor and restrained until back-up arrived. When interviewed he made no comment.

Dog killer Sean Wisbey from Merseyside, UK

Claire Jones, defending, said Wisbey, who has committed 78 previous offences, mainly for dishonesty, had taken a cocktail of drink and drugs and had not taken his prescribed medication for his mental health problems at the time of the offences.

Sentencing: jailed for two years; five-year restraining order

BBC News
Liverpool Echo

Update December 2021

Wisbey now lives in Trapwood Close, Eccleston, St Helens WA10 5NQ

Dogs

Draycott, Derbyshire: Laura Butt and Timothy Wood

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CONVICTED (2019) | Laura Emily Butt (aka Laura Welch), born 23 March 1986 and Timothy Wood, born 27 May 1966 both of Derby Road, Draycott, Derby DE72 3NJ – left their dogs to starve for months and refused to take them to the vet.

Convicted dog abusers Laura Butt and Timothy Wood from Draycott in Derby
Convicted dog abusers Laura Butt and Timothy Wood from Draycott in Derby

Butt and Wood fed their four dogs scraps from takeaway meals and left them to fight at their home in Draycott, Derby.

Dogs neglected by Laura Butt and Timothy Wood from Draycott in Derby

The charges related to a six-year-old Akita-type dog named Bear, and 14-year-old German Shepherd Molly. Another of the dogs, Roxy, seven, was underweight.

Dogs neglected by Laura Butt and Timothy Wood from Draycott in Derby

RSPCA inspectors found the animals with protruding bones and ‘deep scratches’ but the couple refused to take them to the vets, claiming they were ‘too busy’.

Butt and Wood pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates’ Court.

Butt, who is said to have bipolar disorder, adult ADHD and nervous anxiety, sobbed throughout the hearing.

RSPCA officer Helen Mead visited the property numerous times between December 2018 and May 2019.

Dogs neglected by Laura Butt and Timothy Wood from Draycott in Derby

Prosecutor Richard Purchase said: ‘There was a worry at that time that two dogs were underweight. Molly, 14, was thin and Roxy, seven, was underweight. Advice was given that the dogs needed cooked pasta into their dog food and should be taken to the vets.’

By March the dogs had not been taken to the vets because Wood said they were ‘very busy’.

Dogs neglected by Laura Butt and Timothy Wood from Draycott in Derby
Image shows Rio in the condition he was in when rescued (left) and following his recovery

The RSPCA inspector attended their home twice that month but could not gain access.

In May 2019, a police officer attended the property with Ms Mead who had ‘concerns regarding the state of two dogs’. Bear was found lethargic with protruding hip bones and another dog in the home was ‘grumbling’ and ‘had scabs’.

Mr Purchase said: ‘The fear was that it had a fight with one of the other dogs. The scratches were deep and the dog had not had any treatment.

‘Mr Wood said the dogs were fed a lot of food. Ms Mead asked there was any dog food but Mr Wood said no.

‘The concern was that the dogs were not being fed on dog food but scrap food from the local takeaway. It would appear the dogs were so thin because of their diet. All four dogs were seized.’

Wood owned three of the dogs while Butt owned Bear. All four dogs are still with the RSPCA.

Defending Wood, Mark Moore said the couple have become ‘village pariahs’ in Draycott and even the local shop won’t serve them.

The Chair of the Bench said: ‘These cases are always difficult. That said, whilst we fully respect how the RSPCA brought this case, we and they will have seen much worse cases.

‘That is not to minimise the distress you have caused these four dogs. You were incompetent in the care you provided. We also impose a deprivation order for the four dogs.’

Sentencing | total fines, costs and charges of £1,300. Disqualified from keeping any dogs for the next three years (expired October 2022).

Derby Telegraph
Daily Mail

Dogs

Kessingland, Lowestoft: Brian Medler

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CONVICTED (2019) | Brian Medler, born c. 1944, of London Road, Kessingland, near Lowestoft NR33 7PN – failed to treat his dog’s aggressive tumour.

Medler pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal after his border collie, known as Leo, developed an aggressive tumour which was not properly treated for four months. The pensioner claimed to have mistaken a cancerous ulcer on the dog’s back for a tick bite.

The court heard the RSPCA had been contacted by a concerned member of the public and following two unsuccessful attempts to visit Medler’s home eventually saw Leo in June 2019. The stricken pet had a lump the size of a hand on his back which was clearly “infected and weeping”. There were also fly eggs in the centre of the wound.

Leo was taken to a vet for further examination where it was concluded that he had been caused unnecessary suffering.

Medler claimed to have taken the dog to a vet in Ireland but could provide no record of this. He also claimed that he was given cream to apply to the dog’s tumour twice a day but as the ulcer was cancerous this was not effective.

Calvin Saker, for Medler, said the 75-year-old had been looking after dogs since the age of 10 and was “hugely remorseful” about the incident.

Mr Saker said: “He saw the injury, took his pet to the vet and followed the advice he was given.”

Medler hoped his dog’s condition would improve and planned to take it to the vets two weeks after the RSPCA inspectors became involved.

Mr Saker said Medler had learnt “a very harsh lesson” but highlighted that he looked after another dog, who was in a good condition.

Following the intervention of the inspectors, Leo had the tumour removed and is recovering well.

Sentencing: total of £625 in fines and costs. Deprivation order on Leo.

Eastern Daily Press

Dogs, Pet Profiteering, puppy farmers / traffickers, kennels, backyard breeders

Thurlton, Norwich: Carole Rushmer

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CONVICTED (2019) | puppy farmer Carole Rushmer, born 8 November 1959, of Home Farm, Low Road, Norwich NR14 6PZ

Puppy farmer Carole Rushmer (far right) with Michael and Zoe Rushmer all of Norwich, UK.
Puppy farmer Carole Rushmer (far right) with Michael and Zoe Rushmer.

Carole Rushmer has been banned from buying or selling dogs for two years for her involvement in a family-run puppy farm.

She admitted causing unnecessary suffering to four dogs she kept at her farm in Thurlton in Norwich.

Three other family members – Zoe Rushmer, Michael Rushmer and Jacob Murphy – have already been sentenced for their part in a scam, which netted more than £300,000.

The puppies, which have since been rehomed, showed signs of worms and had fur matted with excrement and burns on their skin, magistrates were told.

The court was told Rushmer’s late husband Michael had started a puppy farm to clear debts and later involved his daughter Zoe Rushmer, her partner Jacob Murphy and later his son, also called Michael Rushmer.

She admitted having provided premises for the puppy farm in Thurlton, though her lawyer said she had been coerced into it and was subjected to violence.

RSPCA inspector Amy Pellegrini, who worked on the case for four years, said some puppies were “emaciated”.

The RSPCA removed 74 dogs including several pregnant bitches, one of whom had 93 puppies.

“Being that age, they were very lucky to be alive in those conditions,” she said, speaking outside court.

“That’s not something that we see every day. To see something like that is very upsetting.”

Jacob Murphy, Michael Rushmer and Zoe Rushmer were sentenced in June 2019 for having sold ill or dying dogs they pretended had come from a family environment.

They kept some of the 74 animals in cages, dark sheds and a caravan in temperatures up to 30C (86F), Norwich Crown Court was told.

Murphy and Michael Rushmer were each jailed for 42 months, while Zoe Rushmer was given a two-year suspended jail sentence. They were all banned from keeping animals for life.

Sentencing | 14-week curfew; banned from buying or selling dogs for two years (expired 2021).

BBC News