CONVICTED (2021) | hare coursers Thomas Joseph Connors, born February 1978, of Carew Road, Wallington, Sutton SM6, Patrick Rooney, born c. 1985, of Croydon Road, Keston, Bromley BR2, Anthony Connors, born 31 January 1987, of Rutland Avenue, High Wycombe HP12, and James Raymond Bell, born October 2000, of Oaksview Park, 12 Murcott, Kidlington, Oxfordshire OX5 2RH
Thomas Connors, James Bell, Anthony Connors and Patrick Rooney all received fines and Criminal Behaviour Orders.
Officers from Cambridgeshire Constabulary’s Rural Crime Action Team (RCAT) caught the four men, who were also with a 12-year-old boy, driving through a field in Abbots Ripton, Cambridgeshire, looking for hares.
James Bell
On seeing the police, the group drove off through wildlife conservation areas and, after a short pursuit through the village, drove onto another field before stopping.
All four were interviewed and previous poaching convictions were revealed.
The vehicle was seized and the men were ordered to leave the county.
Anthony Connors
They all pleaded guilty to daytime trespass in pursuit of game (poaching) at Cambridge Magistrates’ Court on September 22, 2021, and were each handed a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) lasting three years.
The order prevents them from (while in Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex):
being on private agricultural or farm land, or any yards or working areas associated with that land, in or on any vehicle, or on foot whilst in possession of one or more sight hound or x-sight hound breed, unless the land owner’s written permission has been obtained beforehand
Jim Bell (left) and Anthony Connors (right)
All four were also ordered to pay £178 in compensation to the owner of the fields and wildlife conservation areas.
In addition, Thomas Connors was fined £150, while Anthony Connors, Rooney and Bell were fined £200.
CONVICTED (2021) | Raquelle Vanessa Lyons, born 5 January 1991, of 7 Third Avenue, Newry BT35 6HD – for neglecting three dogs and a cat.
Lyons pleaded guilty to failing to take reasonable steps to ensure the welfare needs of a tabby cat and three Jack Russell dogs were being met.
A case was brought against Lyons by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council following a complaint received in July 2019 in relation to the welfare of dogs being kept at the location. The property was visited on July 4, 2019.
Raquelle Lyons neglected this cat as well as three dogs. All of the pets have recovered and been rehomed.
Despite numerous visits and several letters being sent to Lyons the officer was unable to gain access until August 29.
The animal welfare officer observed that the animals were being kept in poor conditions and requested a vet attend the location.
After conducting an assessment of the property, a vet determined the animals should be seized and taken into the possession of the council.
An application was made to Newry Magistrates Courts on October 2, 2019 to have the cat and three Jack Russell dogs rehomed and this was granted.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council issued proceedings under the provisions of the Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 2011.
Sentencing: ordered to pay a fine of £150 and costs of £237. She was banned from keeping animals for just three years (expires September 2024).
CONVICTED (2021) | Kathy Margaret Marshall, born 7 April 1989, of Sunnylands Avenue, Carrickfergus BT38 8JT – for the cruel mistreatment of four dogs found starved at her home.
Marshall pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering and failing to ensure the welfare of four unnamed dogs which she owned.
The charges were brought against the Marshall by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council under the Welfare of Animals Act (NI) 2011.
Proceedings followed an investigation by the council’s Animal Welfare Officer who visited Marshall’s property at Sunnylands Avenue, Carrickfergus on 19th December 2019.
A number of dogs were found living at the property in a malnourished state. The dogs ate ravenously when provided with food.
A council vet gave three of the dogs a body condition score of 1/5 with the fourth dog being scored 0/5 due to being extremely thin. That dog was skeletal with no discernible body fat and loss of muscle mass. A vet said that the dog would not have survived in her malnourished state.
All four dogs made a full recovery and were successfully rehomed through an animal sanctuary.
Sentencing: four months in prison suspended for 12 months; £310 in costs. 10 year disqualification order (expires September 2031).
Photo montage shows Susie Towers (top left), Leanne Richardson (top right) and Steve Flitton along with the surviving dogs Sandy (centre left), Storm (centre right) and Breeze (bottom left). Their filthy property is also pictured.
Flitton, Tower and Richardson were banned from keeping dogs for life after pleading guilty to four counts of allowing an animal to suffer unnecessarily.
Dacorum Borough Council successfully brought a prosecution against the vile trio in relation to their mistreatment of four dogs removed from their home in December 2020.
All pleaded guilty to eight offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
Susie Tower (left) and Lea Richardson
Council Animal Welfare Officers first started attending the property in July 2020 and found it to be in a filthy and hoarded condition. Several of the dogs were found in small crates and were left to urinate inside the crates.
During one visit, an officer from the council observed two dogs urinating through the crates and onto the carpet.
Following unsuccessful attempts to engage with Flitton, Towers and Richardson, the council executed a warrant under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 on December 21, 2020.
Four dogs were taken into possession and removed from the property to safeguard their welfare.
The dogs were found to be in an emaciated and poor condition with one being so neglected she sadly passed away.
A second dog was signed over to Dacorum Borough Council, and following her recovery was rehomed.
The remaining two dogs are currently under the care of Dacorum Borough Council and will now be rehomed.
The surviving dogs are named Breeze, Sandy and Storm.
The investigating officer, Dacorum Borough Council’s Animal Welfare Officer Rachel Smith, said: “This was a lengthy investigation, spanning over 5 months, during which time we have made every effort to engage with the family.
“All animals deserve to be cared for appropriately and it is never acceptable to neglect an animal or allow an animal to suffer, regardless of your personal circumstances.
“I am pleased with the courts’ decision to disqualify all three owners from owning any animals as this reflects the suffering that was caused to these dogs, which could have easily been avoided.
“Hopefully now, the remaining two dogs can continue with their rehabilitation and go on to lead a full and happy life.”
Sentencing | Flitton: 12-month community order, 100 hours of unpaid work, £300 costs and a £95 victim surcharge. Tower and Richardson: 12-month community order, 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days, £120 fine, £300 costs and a £95 victim surcharge.
All three were disqualified from keeping and owning all animals for life.
CONVICTED (2021) | breeder Mark James Blackburn, born c. 1986, of 17 Swanage Road, Eccles, City of Salford M30 8NJ – starved dogs, cats and rabbits to death.
Blackburn was banned from keeping animals after the decomposing bodies of dead dogs, cats and rabbits were found in his home.
He pleaded guilty to four animal welfare offences when he appeared before Greater Manchester Magistrates’ Court on 14 September 2021.
The court heard how the RSPCA were called to Blackburn’s house by the police on December 8, 2019 and found 17 dead animals in the house.
They also came across five underweight Akita dogs.
Inspector Danni Jennnings attended the scene and said when she arrived at the address the front door was already open.
She said: “Before I entered the property I noted an obvious smell consistent with dead bodies.”
During a search of the property she then discovered the bodies of decomposing animals in various rooms.
She said: “In the living room directly off the hallway on the right, there was a dead, black adult rabbit in a wooden box.
“This box contained no food or water.
“Under the window, behind a bed head was another dead, black adult rabbit.
“In the middle of this room, was a decomposing, what appeared to be a pug type dog. This dog appeared to have been scavenged as parts of its legs and face were missing and there was a heavy maggot infestation.
“In a dog crate at the back of this room were two more pug type dogs. These too were in a state of decomposition. There was no food or water visible in this crate.
“In a room off the kitchen was a filthy room conditions in this room were deplorable. Filthy dog crates with no bedding, food or water, three of which contained the decomposed remains of Akita dogs.”
In the kitchen she found a kennel containing a decomposed Akita and in another cardboard box was another dead rabbit. During a search of the hallway, Danni came across two cardboard boxes with the lids shut and when she opened these she found two dead rabbits with no food and water present.
Upstairs the decomposed body of another Akita was found in a crate in the main bedroom and in another bedroom the bodies of four dead and decomposing cats were found.
Five live Akitas were found in the property and were taken for veterinary treatment. All were underweight and three needed drips inserted as they were dehydrated.
Four of the rescued Akitas were owned by other breeders and have been returned to their owners and made a recovery.
One was owned by Blackburn and was signed over into RSPCA care for rehoming.
An expert vet said that the decomposition of the animals suggested they all died at various times from dehydration as no drinking water was present at the house. He added: “All would have suffered from mechanisms of pain, headaches, disorientation, intense thirst, weakness, fatigue, eventual collapse, organ failure and death for a period of at least five days, possibly longer.”
In mitigation the court heard Blackburn was suffering from depression and anxiety.
Sentencing: four months’ custody suspended for six months for each offence to run concurrently; 12-month community order including a 15-day Rehabilitation and Activity Requirement; ordered to pay £900 costs. Ten-year ban on owning animals (expires September 2031).
CONVICTED (2021) | Tara Freda McMenamin, born 7 August 1986, of 5 Crossgill Place, Ryelands, Lancaster LA1 2UF – failed to take a dog with a fractured leg and ribs to the vet.
Over seven days in March 2020, McMenamin caused unnecessary suffering to a bull terrier named Cleo, who had suffered fractures to her ribs and a leg. The cause of the injuries remains unexplained.
After originally pleading not guilty to the charges against her, McMenamin changed her plea to guilty.
She was therefore convicted under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 for causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.
Sentencing: eight-week curfew; £295 in costs and charges. No ban.
CONVICTED (2021) | David Aird, born 8 December 1991, from Tranent (address tbc) – battered a tiny dog causing a fatal brain injury
Archie (pictured) died after being battered by his evil owner, David Aird – a care home worker.
Care home worker David Aird admitted striking chihuahua/Jack Russell cross Archie with his hand which led to the canine suffering a fatal haemorrhage.
Aird pleaded guilty to causing a protected animal unnecessary suffering.
The court heard Aird struck the dog with his hand causing a “severe and extensive haemorrhage in the cranial vault” resulting in significant brain compression.
The incident happened at his home in Tranent, East Lothian, on February 3. 2021.
.Fiscal depute Deborah King said a postmortem was later conducted.
Ms King said it found Archie had suffered “brunt force trauma to the top of the skull” from what appeared to be a single blow.
The postmortem said such an injury can be “rapidly fatal”.
Ms King said the examination concluded the injury could’ve been caused by an object such as a stick or hammer, or potentially a punch or kick, as could falling from a height onto a hard surface.
The prosecutor said the “force to fracture the skull might have rendered the dog unconscious” and that might’ve been immediate, but this wasn’t certain.
She said Archie could’ve been in pain until unconsciousness developed.
The court was told Aird was charged after the postmortem findings were returned.
Aird, who represented himself in court, said he was a care home worker.
Asked by Sheriff Peter McCormack if he had anything to say about the possibility of being banned from keeping a pet, Aird replied: “No.”
Sentencing: fined £420. Banned from owning or keeping a pet for 20 years.
It was reported that the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) had issued Aird with a six-month suspension order following his conviction for animal cruelty.
The SSSC said: “Social service workers must not behave, while in or outside work, in a way which would bring their suitability to work in social services into question.
“You struck your pet dog on the head with your hand, resulting in your dog’s death.
“You have failed to uphold the law and your behaviour demonstrates a loss of self-control and disregard for the safety of the animal in your care.
“Committing such a crime of violence raises concerns over your values as it is attitudinal in nature, which can make such behaviour harder to remediate.
“Behaviour of this manner is contrary to the values expected of registered social service workers.
“Your behaviour is likely to have negatively impact the public’s trust and confidence in the profession.
“The public has the right to expect that social care workers, in whom it places its trust and confidence, will uphold the law and will not engage in offending behaviour.
“Your behaviour was fundamentally incompatible with the conduct expected of a social care worker.”
On making their decision, they said: “We decided the appropriate sanction is to place a suspension order on your registration for a period of six months.
“This was an isolated incident for which you have expressed significant regret and remorse.
“No findings have previously been made against you by the SSSC.
“No findings of previous violent or offending behaviour or subsequent violent or offending behaviour.
“There is no evidence you have acted violently towards any person you have encountered in your social services employment.
“You have shown insight and reflected on your behaviour.”
CONVICTED (2021) | James McNicol, born c. 1982, of Ballantay Road, Castlemilk, Glasgow G45 0DX – left his dog starving and in extreme pain.
James McNicol
The SSPCA attended James McNicol’s home after being alerted to a sick dog inside the property.
McNicol came to the door but lied that the dog was being walked by his owner. Another SSPCA officer recognised McNicol, however, and knew that he owned the dog at the property.
McNicol led the officer to the living room where the dog – a crossbreed called Scamp – was lying stricken on the floor.
The poor animal had visible ribs and hip bones and was unresponsive to touch and sound.
Scamp was rushed to the vet, but sadly had to be put down.
The dog was described as severely underweight and badly dehydrated. He had a mouth infection, lacerations and dental issues.
The court heard help should have been sought for Scamp, who had been affected for a prolonged period of time.
McNicol pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to the animal.
Thomas Neil, defending, told the court: “He accepts the dog was unwell and he’s not proud of himself.”
Sheriff Diane McConnell told McNicol: “The condition of the dog was appalling. It was suffering greatly.”
Sentencing: 12-month supervision order; curfew. Five year ban on keeping dogs (expires September 2026).
CONVICTED (2021) Deborah ‘Debs’ Thomas of 3 Daisy Bank, Akeley, Buckingham MK18 5HW – caught on camera physically abusing a dog.
Ill-tempered Thomas, owner of a dog-walking business Doggy Day Care Akeley, was filmed rushing into her garden to berate a terrified rescue dog. She is shown picking the dog up and throwing him, causing him to slam onto the concrete ground. The matter was reported to the RSPCA by a concerned neighbour and Thomas was prosecuted.
On 17 September 2021 she was found guilty of two offences of duty of person responsible for animal to ensure welfare.
For the first offence she received a fine of £300, victim surcharge £34 and costs of £250.
The second offence was marked as ‘no separate penalty’.
She was not given a ban and it is not known if the dog she abused was returned to her.
CONVICTED (2021) | dog thief Craig Anthony Morgan, born 12 August 1985, of Melbury Avenue, Poole BH12
German shepherd puppy Bear was returned to his owners two weeks after being stolen by Craig Morgan.
Morgan pleaded guilty to one count of theft and was sentenced to 10 months imprisonment, suspended for two years.
The court heard how on 23 April 2021 Andrew Smith was waiting outside Tesco Express in Quay Road with German Shepherd puppy Bear when Morgan approached.
The defendant stroked the dog, unclipped him from his leash, told the owner “I have your dog”, before fleeing on a Beryl bike.
Bear was reunited with his owners two weeks later after being traced to an address in Poole.
A victim impact statement from Mr Smith said: “We were so thrilled and happy when we first got Bear, since this awful crime it has taken that away.
“Bear is a member of the family, no person should have the right to take a family member away.”
Recorder Nicholas Haggan QC said: “It was, in every sense of the word, a very mean offence.
“It is right that I should mention the views of the victims in this case. It is perfectly clear that what you did caused enormous distress.
“They now feel uncomfortable when they go out, they no longer enjoy the act of walking their dog which gives pleasure to every dog owner.
“The one thing that saves you from an immediate sentence is the fact you did not make attempts to sell the dog.”
Craig Morgan is originally from Broxtowe in Nottingham and also has links to Sheffield.
In 2003 Morgan, then aged 17, was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison for attacking a family’s home and setting their cars on fire. In addition to the jail sentence, Morgan was given an ASBO banning him from setting foot in the area of the estate where the attacks took place – and was also barred for harassing anyone in the whole of Nottingham.
We collate data on animal cruelty convictions in the UK
