CONVICTED (2024) | paedophile and zoophile David Owen, born c. 1982, of Bryn Rhedyn, Rudry, Caerphilly CF83 3BT – built up a vile collection of images showing the sexual abuse of children, horses and dogs.
Prosecutor Alex Greenwood told Cardiff Crown Court that police raided Owen’s home at 5.02am on December 20, 2022, and found him inside with his then-partner. When officers explained they had received information about Owen’s internet activity, he admitted he had images of bestiality involving a horse but claimed the material had “nothing to do with children”.
But when officers seized his iPhone they found 24 indecent images of children in category A — which is the most serious category — as well as 19 in category B, 35 in category C, and 43 ‘prohibited’ non-photographic pictures.
He also had 383 extreme pornographic images which involved animal abuse. This material included a “sadistic” image of someone performing an oral sex act on a dog.
Mr Greenwood said the children in the images were as young as six months old. Police also discovered a video, sent by Owen to one of his contacts, which showed the rape of a five-year-old who was in “discernible distress”.
His online searches included terms such as “paedo lives matter” and “young teens”.
His username on one chat network was “Paedo for kids, babies and toddlers” and messages showed he had discussed the rape of one child who was known to him. He had unsuccessfully attempted to hide the images on his phone, the court heard.
Owen admitted distributing an indecent image and five counts of possession of indecent, extreme and prohibited images. He had no previous convictions.
The judge noted the “distress and pain” of the children in the material and the fact that most were younger than 10. He imposed a jail term of two years and two months, of which Owen will serve half in custody. He will be subject to a ten-year sexual harm prevention order and under requirements to inform police of his address and other details. Following release he must pay a £228 victim services surcharge.
CONVICTED (2024) | Mohammed Ullah, born c. 1981, of Stevens Court, Wellingborough Road, Earls Barton, Northampton NN6 0GZ – subjected his dog to regular beatings during a campaign of coercive control and violence against his partner.
Domestic violence offender Mohammed Ullah was charged with cruelty towards a dog, but denied the charge and regretfully it wasn’t pursued by prosecutors
Ullah was arrested on September 25, 2023, after his then partner called 999 to report him for attacking her. The woman said that Ullah had grabbed her by the arms and then by the throat and had threatened to kill himself if she ended the relationship.
She told police she had suffered a year of abuse from Ullah, which included him beating his dog. He had also attacked her if she refused him sex, called her derogatory names and threatened to crash his car with both of them in it.
He went on to be charged with controlling/coercive behaviour in an intimate/family relationship, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, intentional strangulation and causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.
Ullah was due to go on trial at Northampton Crown Court, but on March 18, 2024, entered guilty pleas to the coercive control and assault charges.
The charges of causing unnecessary suffering to a dog and intentional strangulation, both of which Ullah had denied, were ordered to remain on file.
The fate and condition of Ullah’s dog has not been reported.
CONVICTED (2024) | James Dean Rowe, born 10 September 1988, of 6 Ffordd Spoonley, Llansantffraid SY22 6FB – punched a police dog during a drink-fuelled rage.
Rowe was convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to a police dog called Max in addition to charges of drink driving, resisting arrest and causing a vehicle to be left in a dangerous position. He admitted causing criminal damage to a vehicle owned by an elderly good Samaritan who had stopped to assist him after he had crashed his car. The court heard how Rowe had forced the 78-year-old motorist to drive him around Powys looking for alcohol.
James Rowe’s vicious attack on Dyfed-Powys Police dog Max left him dazed
The attack on Max occurred as police officers attended Rowe’s house.
Prosecutor Helen Tench described the scene that confronted police.
She said: “The door had been partially smashed. The defendant was at the top of the stairs and he became verbally abusive. Officers noticed his speech was slurred and he appeared under the influence.
“He came down to where PC Lloyd and PC Donovan were, he leaned his face towards the dog and called him a ****, then hit the dog in the face. The dog appeared dazed and ran inside.
“Officers arrested him, Max was checked for injuries.
“He (Rowe) was taken to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital (due to the road traffic collision) but he was turned away due to being verbally abusive.”
Mrs Tench said Rowe was then taken to a police station and kept in a cell overnight.
A probation officer told the court that Rowe had little recollection of the events of that night adding that “He wasn’t feeling great at the time. It was the first Christmas he had not seen his son; mentally he was somewhere else.
“He says he wasn’t drinking when he crashed, he had swerved to avoid a fox. He drank a lot of vodka at home and says he doesn’t remember hitting the dog or abusing the officers.
“He can’t believe it happened, he is not violent person; he was under a lot of stress at the time.”
The court heard that Rowe ran his own brickwork business but had since given it up and was due to start a new job in maintenance. His mental health had improved after he gave up alcohol.
Sentencing | 18-month community order, with 100 hours of unpaid work and 20 rehabilitation activity days; £1,380 compensation to the elderly driver. 14-month driving ban.
CONVICTED (2024) | Darren Woodhouse, born 4 May 1983, of Aireton Road, Barnsley S70 2NF – kept malnourished, flea-ridden cats in horrendous conditions.
Photos produced in evidence by the RSPCA showed the atrocious environment in which drug-addicted oddball Darren Woodhouse was keeping his cats, Pud and Curly Tail.
The pets, who were underweight and infested with fleas, were discovered lying among decaying faeces and piles of rubbish at Woodhouse’s flat in Roundwood Court, Worsbrough, Barnsley S70 6BU.
In court, Woodhouse admitted two charges of causing unnecessary suffering.
In a written statement, RSPCA Inspector Jack Taylor described what he saw on that visit. He wrote: “The landing area was filled with household rubbish and bin bags. The room to the left, which was mostly blocked by bin bags, was also stacked with black bags. To the right was a bedroom, also covered in household rubbish with a dirty mattress, no bedding and general clutter. Cat faeces were seen on the floor under the window.
At 3.27kg Pud was very underweight with his ribs, back and pelvic bones prominent through his fur. He and Curly Tail were also both riddled with fleas. Photo: RSPCA
“The kitchen at the end of the hallway was unsanitary and unsuitable for food preparation. In the kitchen amongst the rubbish was a tabby cat who Darren called Curly Tail. The sink was full of cat empty food tins, the floor, like everywhere else in the house, was sticky.
“Finally I saw the cluttered living room which had a large leather sofa and an armchair. I couldn’t see the floor for rubbish and pieces of clothing. Behind the sofa were more bin bags, clothing, and numerous empty beer cans crushed and thrown aside. The floor was also littered with cigarette butts.
“I spoke to Darren and told him the conditions were appalling and he had two options; sign the animals over to the RSPCA for rehoming as this was not the first time we had attended over complaints of poor conditions, or be given the opportunity to clean up.”
Curly Tail weighed just 2.32kg with palpable fat reserves. Photo: RSPCA
Inspector Taylor returned with a colleague the following month to check on the conditions but there was no answer and calls to Woodhouse – who was advised that a warrant would be sought to enter the flat – went straight to voicemail.
On September 8, police contacted Inspector Taylor to say they’d gone to the property to arrest Woodhouse.
The situation had worsened, with the floor in the kitchen now entirely covered in rubbish and a litter tray in the same room overflowing with faeces. Pud and Curly Tail were seized by the police and taken by the inspector for veterinary treatment.
In written evidence to the court, the vet who examined them said Pud weighed 3.27kg and had a body condition score of two out of nine. His ribs, back and pelvic bones were easily felt and he had significant areas of crusting on his body with many live fleas seen.
Curly Tail weighed 2.32kg and was given the same body score condition by the vet. He had no palpable fat reserves and was also suffering from a severe flea allergy.
The vet stated: “The images shown to me by Inspector Taylor depict an environment totally unacceptable for housing cats or other companion animals.
“No water bowl was present and the only images of food that were captured was of a small amount of cat food in a sealed container that was not accessible to them.
“The large amount of litter and debris in the home posed a risk of injury to both of them. The litter tray had not been cleaned or emptied in several weeks.
“Both cats were significantly underweight and mildly dehydrated and had secondary anaemia. Pud had a naturally occurring flea hypersensitivity which had made him uniquely sensitive to the bites of fleas, to such an extent that he was self traumatising his skin in response.
“The owner had therefore failed to protect either of their cats from illness or suffering. In my professional opinion I would attribute a minimum period of suffering of three months for both cats, with a range of three to six months being most probable.”
In mitigation, the court was told that Woodhouse had a drug addiction and had since been evicted from the property. He was now living with a family member and was engaging with support services.
Speaking after the case Inspector Taylor said: “The living conditions inside the flat were not fit for humans or animals. The owner in this case was given ample opportunity to clean up and provide a safe and comfortable environment for Pud and Curly Tail, but he failed to do so.
“The cats also suffered because they were infested with fleas and veterinary advice and treatment was not sought. With the right treatment and care at our Sheffield Branch animal centre they both recovered well and have since been happily adopted.”
Sentencing | 12 week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months; up to 30 hours of a rehabilitation activity; costs of £500. Banned from keeping animals for 10 years.
CONVICTED (2024) | Lukasz Sudek, born 1 May 1986, with a last known address of Harris Close, Hounslow TW3 4JJ but with links to Harrow, Feltham and Brentford – brutally kicked and strangled his girlfriend’s dog because he was stressed from losing his job.
Sudek was caught savagely battering the defenceless animal by a CCTV camera in an alleyway below his girlfriend’s flat in Sudbury Hill, Harrow, on April 8, 2024.
The Polish national had a cigarette behind his ear and a can of lager in one hand as he used his free hand to choke the small brown dog with an orange-handled retractable lead, pulling the cord over his shoulder to cut air from its windpipe.
Sudek gulped and shamefully hung his head below the dock as disturbing footage of the relentless booting was played in court.
Prosecutor Shelina Khuduron said police were called to the scene by a concerned member of the public who had witnessed the cruel kicking.
They described Sudek ‘kicking the dog in the head’ and ‘pulling the leash over his shoulder to strangle the dog’.
Sudek’s girlfriend told officers she had thrown him out over the incident, but Sudek handed himself in once he heard police had CCTV.
Footage of the attack lasted around four minutes, including over a dozen kicks, and Sudek could be seen shaking his hands out after repeatedly yanking the lead to throttle the animal.
Ms Khuduron said there was no victim impact statement from Sudek’s ex-girlfriend (the dog owner), and vet bills or a statement about the injuries from a vet.
During the search at the police station, Sudek was also found with a bag of amphetamine. He was charged with causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and for possession of a Class B drug.
He admitted both offences .
Defence counsel Syed Naveed said Sudek had come to the UK in 2004 and had a well-paid career in construction before he lost his job in Christmas 2023|.
After losing his income he moved in with his girlfriend, who supported them with money from hairdressing, but Sudek continued to be ‘under a lot of stress’.
“His actions were due to that stress,” Mr Naveed argued. “Still, he realises there was no justification for that, and that’s why he pleaded guilty at the very first opportunity.”
Mr Naveed also said Sudek was aware of his own anger management issues, and claimed he had been unable to show the probation service remorse due to the language barrier.
Sentencing Sudek, the lead magistrate said the footage showed the attack was ‘a deliberate attempt to cause suffering’.
“We saw the CCTV, where the handle of the lead was wrapped around your hand and pulled over your shoulder to cause maximum force,” the chairwoman said.
She said it would have caused ‘a substantial amount of pain and suffering’ and concluded, due to ‘the level of violence used and the length of the incident’, only immediate custody was appropriate.
Sudek broke down in tears and blew a kiss to his ex-girlfriend as she cried in the public gallery while he was led away.
Sentencing | eight-week custodial; £154 victim surcharge. Five-year ban applicable to all animals (expires May 2029).
CONVICTED (2024) | Jackie Draper, née Jackie Painter, born 21 November 1985, previously of Wardy Hill, near Ely, Cambridgeshire, but now at an unspecified address in March – illegally bred ‘designer’ dogs in squalid conditions to profit from inflated prices during the Covid lockdowns.
Draper, who’s originally from Harlow, Essex, and retains strong family links to that area, failed to meet the basic care needs of 44 dogs and puppies crammed into her rented semi-detached house.
None had access to water. Faeces and urine were scattered throughout the property while the garden was littered with waste and broken glass.
Draper had bred 23 litters of puppies over the Covid period – many of whom were underweight and required veterinary care. Some had price tags as high as £5,000.
An East Cambridgeshire District Council dog warden and an RSPCA officer first attended Draper’s home in August 2020 following complaints of sick puppies being sold at the property.
On arrival they found underweight French Bulldogs, a female Pomeranian, Boston Terriers, and Poodles.
Draper was advised to cease trading immediately as she did not have a licence. She was instructed to take all the French Bulldogs in her care to the vets as they were underweight and suffering from diarrhoea with blood in it.
The defendant later emailed the council to say she intended to keep breeding but only once she had applied for a licence. No application for a breeding licence was ever made, but Draper continued to breed and sell puppies.
A full investigation was launched into Draper’s activities. This included liaising with online advertising platforms, accessing veterinary and stud records and taking statements from people who had purchased sick puppies.
One advert from July 2020 was for a litter of eight Cavapoochon puppies priced at between £3,500 and £5,000 each.
Evidence provided by animal welfare charity NatureWatch showed Draper to be maintaining a social media account with nearly 2,000 members that she was using to advertise puppies.
In August 2022, a warrant was executed at Draper’s address, with police, council officers and a veterinary surgeon finding 14 adult dogs, two of whom were heavily pregnant, 14 older puppies and 16 new-born puppies.
Twenty-three of the dogs had a body score of 3 or lower, with visible bones and poor muscle mass. The 16 puppies were too young to receive a score.
Ronnie, a chocolate Cocker Spaniel puppy was so anaemic, malnourished, and emaciated when he arrived at the vets he collapsed and required emergency care. He was later given a body condition score of 1 out of 9.
Several dogs had major flea infestations and ear mites; a Jack Russell Terrier crossed with a Chihuahua puppy required intensive round the clock nursing and a Cockapoo was described as being the “worst case of grooming neglect” a dog groomer had seen in 15 years.
Daisy, a seven-year-old Cavachon in poor health was found to have been bred back-to-back three times, despite suffering from a seizure.
Further searches revealed that between 2020 and 2022 Draper had bred more than 23 litters of puppies including Cavapoochons, French Bulldogs, Froodles, Standard Poodles, Dobermans, Cocker Spaniels and Cavapoos.
Ultrasound equipment, breeding manuals and a business plan showed Draper expected to make a profit from a litter for four puppies was also found.
The court heard the scale and organisation of the activity demonstrated it was “deliberate, pre-planned, premeditated and motivated by profit with disregard to the needs of the dogs”.
It also heard the defendant was “adequately aware” the level of care being provided to the dogs was not sufficient.
The court also heard Draper who lived in a housing association property had been claiming Universal Credit throughout the period the offences took place.
Draper pleaded guilty to three charges relating to dog breeding and advertising the sale of dogs without a necessary licence, failing to meet the five welfare needs of 44 dogs and causing unnecessary suffering to a male chocolate Cocker Spaniel puppy named Ronnie.
In mitigation Draper’s solicitor said she had been given the dogs from family members, she had taken some to the vets, and her ex-partner had been the driving force behind the breeding.
Sentencing her, District Judge Sheraton, said: “People who know me would not describe me as a dog lover, but I would never treat a dog as you have done so.
“You have described yourself as a dog lover but the way you have treated them is far from displaying that.
“Whatever the background, these decisions were yours to take. You have made money in the past and it is perfectly clear to me nothing has gone to these dogs.
“It may be that you have gone to the vets, but these unsanitary conditions did not happen overnight.
“I have no doubt these offences merit a prison sentence; I just need to consider whether or not it should be suspended.”
Ronnie is now thriving in his new home after being rescued from a life of misery with illegal breeder Jackie Draper
A spokesperson for East Cambridgeshire District Council confirmed all the rescued dogs had since been re-homed, including Ronnie and Daisy who are now cared for by two council officers.
Sentencing | six-month custodial, suspended for 18 months, with a two-month suspended sentence for each of the other two offences to run concurrently; 15 rehabilitation activities; 12 sessions of mental health counselling; 200 hours of unpaid work; ordered to contribute £5,000 towards the £40,000 prosecution costs. Banned from keeping or looking after any animals for 10 years.
CONVICTED (2024) | Rachel Walshe, born c. 194, of Grosvenor Close, Bootle L30 6YD and Brian Walshe born c. 1982, of The Marian Way, Bootle L30 3TG – failed to keep their two Rottweilers under control leading to a fatal dog attack.
Mother and son Brian and Rachel Walshe were sentenced in a fatal dog attack. Their two Rottweilers will now be euthanised after a destruction order was issued.
Marie Stevens, a 40-year-old care-worker, was killed in a “frenzied” attack on Park Lane West, Netherton, Merseyside in August 2023, after she had approached the dogs to stroke them.
Liverpool Crown Court heard Ms Stevens was mauled by both dogs and “ragged”.
Brian Walshe and his mother Rachel Walshe each admitted a single charge of owning a dog dangerously out of control, causing injury resulting in death.
Records showed the first dog had been taken to the vets after showing signs of aggression two days before the fatal attack.
Ms Stevens was bitten several times and had to have skin grafts before being discharged from hospital two weeks later.
But the next day she collapsed and died at home following a deep vein thrombosis that pathologists said was a direct result of the dog attack.
Lawyers for the defendants said it had been a “momentary lapse” which had allowed the dogs to attack as a pack.
The dogs, who had been kept in police kennels, will now be put to sleep after the judge issued a destruction order.
Sentencing | 10-month custodial suspended for 18 months ; 20-day rehabilitation order; £3,500 towards kennelling costs. Rachel Walshe, who the court heard had kept rottweiler dogs for 30 years, was disqualified from owning a dog indefinitely while her son was disqualified for five years (expires May 2029).
CONVICTED (2024) | Abrar Ashraf Chaudhary, born c. 1987, of Miner Street, Birchills, Walsall WS2 8QN* – bludgeoned two tiny kittens, killing one and seriously injuring the other.
Sadistic Chaudhary used an unknown weapon to beat to death four-month-old kitten Tiggy after his girlfriend refused to give him money for crack cocaine. He also beat Tiggy’s brother Rascas, fracturing his eye socket. Both kittens had been subjected to previous vicious attacks by Chaudhary.
Chaudhary’s frantic girlfriend tried to gain entry to the bedroom but the kitten killer tried to prevent her seeing Tiggy’s dead body and “sheets covered with blood”.
During questioning by police officers the next day Chaudhary said the injuries had been caused by him playing a game with the kittens which ended with Tiggy accidentally dying. He later told the probation service the kittens’ wounds were caused by ‘a TV falling on them’.
A post-mortem exam on Tiggy found multiple wounds, including blunt force trauma injury of the kitten’s skull which killed her, as well as evidence of prolonged attacks over the previous weeks. Rascas’ injuries included his eye socket being smashed and similar historic wounds to Tiggy.
In July 2021 Chaudhary pleaded not guilty to four counts of causing unnecessary suffering, through causing blunt force trauma to the kittens and not caring and protecting them from injury but was found guilty in his absence in December 2021.
He was finally sentenced on 20 May 2024 after missing 13 court dates giving various reasons ranging from having Covid to having a nosebleed.
Sentencing | 22 weeks’ imprisonment. 10-year ban applicable to all animals.
CONVICTED (2024) | Amy Louise Briers, born c. 1990, of Hempstead Close, Sutton Heath, St Helens WA9 5EZ – failed to keep her dog under control leading to multiple children being bitten.
Single mother of four Amy Briers failed to keep her dog under control, leading to attacks on children and the dog being destroyed
Briers’ dog – a Shar Pei/Staffy cross called Callie – was said to have bitten two children before her pet went on to attack another three youngsters during two further incidents. Two boys required surgery as a result of their injuries.
Liverpool Crown Court heard that Callie, who has since been destroyed with Briers’ consent, had “previously bitten two children”. This led to Briers entering a “voluntary agreement” with Merseyside Police to ensure that the dog was muzzled and on a lead in public and constantly supervised around children and strangers. But, unbeknown to her, her 11-year-old autistic son took the family pet out for a walk at around 6.30pm on July 11, 2023.
Callum Ross, prosecuting, described how the boy approached a group of other youngsters who were playing in the street and “asked if they wanted to stroke the dog” and said it “had only bitten one person”.
One of the children, an 11-year-old girl, “stood back” due to her fear of dogs, but Callie “ran up to her and bit her right forearm”.
She was “scared and crying” as a result of the incident. Her father cleaned and dressed her wounds after she returned home, and she did not require further medical treatment.
Then, on the evening of September 21, “matters came to a head” when another two boys, aged five and six, were playing out. But, as the mum of the younger boy called him inside to eat his tea at around 7pm, she “heard a piercing scream”.
She then found her son with “bites and puncture wounds deep into his arm”. He later told her that Callie had run from Briers’ address on Hempstead Road in St Helens and bitten him before “dragging him around”.
The boy required surgery to repair injuries to his abdomen and left forearm. He may require further cosmetic surgery in the future.
The second child’s mum meanwhile recalled hearing “hysterical screams” and running outside to find her son in tears and with “blood dripping down his arm” and his friend being “dragged around like a toy”.
Briers, who had been at her neighbour’s house at the time of the incident, attempted to intervene by kicking her dog.
The six-year-old suffered serious injuries to his right arm and also required an operation. He was said to still have “had a chunk missing from his arm” months afterwards.
Briers told detectives under interview that she “did not know anything” about the earlier incident and that she did not allow her son to take the dog out on his own. In relation to the second attack, she said her son “must have forgotten to shut the door behind him” and allowed Callie to escape.
The single mum-of-four also stated that she had made previous unsuccessful attempts to rehome her pet by posting on Facebook and contacting the Dog’s Trust.
Sentencing, Judge Ian Harris said: “This animal had previously bitten either one or two children, and you entered an agreement with the police for it to be muzzled, on a lead and supervised around children and strangers. You had knowledge of the way the dog acted and reacted to children.
“You displayed a woeful and criminal lack of responsibility. It was your responsibility to ensure that the dog was safely kept. The injuries caused to the young children were a direct consequence of your reckless behaviour. You bear sole responsibility.
“The dog was obviously dangerous and violent. You knew the dog’s behaviour, yet you failed to ensure the safety of members of the public – in this case three young, vulnerable and terrified children. You have three dependent young children. There is no one else to care for them.
“You are a single mother with no previous convictions. You have written to me expressing sorrow and remorse, and I accept these sentiments as genuine. You are concerned that, if you go into prison, your children will likely end up in the care of the local authority. In my judgement, the effects of your imprisonment would be catastrophic.”
Sentencing | two-year custodial suspended for two years, 100 hours of unpaid work and a rehabilitation activity requirement of up to 10 days. Banned from keeping dogs for life.
CONVICTED (2024) | Richard Derek Peart, born 12 July 1971, most recently of Clarendon Road, Ashford TW15 2QE but now of Bournemouth, Dorset – caught on camera subjecting a cocker spaniel to multiple beatings.
On 29 July and 2 August 2023 Peart was seen on video beating an unnamed cocker spaniel on several occasions, both with his bare hands and a with a shoehorn. The attacks took place at an address in Ashford and the matter was reported to Surrey Police.
On Friday 17 May 2024 Peart, a family man who is/was married to a primary school headteacher, was convicted of two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal under the Animal Welfare Act and given an immediate six-week custodial sentence.
The dog was happily rehomed.
Investigating officer PC Ping said, “When I first saw the highly distressing footage of this incident, I knew that this case needed to be progressed to court to ensure the defendant was brought to justice.
“I’m very glad that the dog is no longer suffering, and that a ban is in place post-release for the offender.”
Sentencing | six weeks in prison; costs and victim surcharge. Banned from keeping a dog for ten years.
