CONVICTED (2022) | animal sanctuary owner Graham T Stephens, born 30 July 1960, of Broad Street, Hereford HR7 but with links to Kidderminster – kept ‘rescued’ animals in shocking conditions.
Graham Stephens, co-owner with wife Jayne Stephens of registered charity Little Meadow Animal Rescue (LMAR) in Stoke Bliss, Worcestershire, kept owls, dogs, rabbits, donkeys and other animals in cramped conditions and failed to provide for their needs.
The mistreatment to the animals included failing to provide dental treatment, failing to address heavy lice infestation, failing to provide treatment for bacterial infection, failing to provide veterinary treatment for the eye condition and dental disease and failure to provide drinking water.
The animals were kept in filthy, faeces-covered cages with animals kept close to predators when they should have been kept apart.
The court heard that unnecessary suffering was caused to four grey donkeys, an alpaca, a Chinese Crested dog, two rabbits, a guinea pig, a grey squirrel and four tawny owls.
Prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, Lynda Myer said warnings had been given to Stephens in 2020 about the mistreatment of dogs but less than two years later there had been “multiple complaints” from the public to the police about conditions at the sanctuary.
Police, accompanied by the RSPCA, acted on a warrant and visited the sanctuary, leading to Stephens’ arrest.
“The conditions were appalling,” the prosecutor said.
“There were signs significant stress was caused to the animals living in a small area.
“He was entrusted with money from the public to look after these animals.”
Sarah Brady, defending, said Stephens had been suffering from depression and stress while trying to run the charity.
“He has run the charity for 12 years,” Mrs Brady said.
“In 2021 he should have sought help.
“He didn’t because of what was going on in his personal life.
“He regrets that now.”
The solicitor added it was not a case where the defendant had deliberately mistreated animals.
Stephens admitted six charges of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and two charges of failing the duty of a person responsible for an animal to ensure welfare.
Sentencing | jailed for eight months and banned from owning, keeping or transporting animals in any way, for life. He was told the earliest he could appeal that ban is 2033. He was released on conditional bail pending an appeal against the custodial sentence.
Additional Information
Following sentencing, a witness to Stephens’ animal cruelty over many years took to Facebook to write the following account of her experience:
The RSPCA together with the police obtained a warrant and removed 44 animals wo were living in squalor. There were caged dogs and some running around along with caged wildlife including owls, squirrels, rabbits and guinea pigs all living in a static caravan.
The RSPCA inspectors could only stay in the caravan for a few minutes because of the smell of ammonia. The donkeys had laminitis and overgrown hoofs and teeth and were unable to eat.
I personally saw the video and photographic evidence from the RSPCA and broke down in tears over the conditions these animals were forced to live in.
I obtained some small satisfaction by telling him to his face what I thought of him and what he had put the animals through whilst all the time convincing the general public that he was a caring rescue.
I personally had dealings with him and his wife when he was running WFAT [Wyre Forest Animal Trust] in Kidderminster and saw at first hand the appalling neglect the animals which he taken in were suffering. I made many complaints to the RSPCA and all the major welfare animal authorities along with the Charity Commission. Regrettably no one took any action all those years ago and he was allowed to carry on to this present day abusing and mistreating animals.
The case will now go to the Crown Court. The b…d should’ve gone down there and then.
Update | October 2023
Graham Stephens’ appeal was held on Tuesday 10 October 2023, at Hereford Crown Court sitting at Hereford Justice Centre; however it was withdrawn at the end of the hearing.
The sentence imposed from December 2022 has now remained, with an additional £750 of costs included with the sentence.
Stephens will now spend the next eight months in jail. His lifetime ban remains in place but may be reviewed after just 10 years.
I personally think Animal Sanctuaries should have much stricter Licensing Conditions imposed and Inspections put in place.
They have been allowed to get away with this for years by the sound of things. If this was A Breeding or Boarding Establishment. They would have to comply with the Local Authority Licensing, Animal Establishment Conditions. Or Defra where applicable.
It is very surprising that the Council, Defra and Rspca haven’t shut the place down long before.