CONVICTED (2011) | Jeffrey Johnson aka JJ Johnson, born c. 1977, of 37 Forfar Street, Burnley BB11 4ER – convicted of hunting badgers with dogs.
Johnson told the court that he had been digging close to a badger sett in Altham because his terrier had got trapped after chasing a rabbit down a hole. He denied having any interest in badgers but was convicted after a trial.
Johnson, a part-time window cleaner and father of three, was seen stood in a three foot deep hole with a spade in his hand by a badger enthusiast.
The enthusiast challenged Johnson and another man as to what they were doing and Johnson said something about digging for a fox.
He said they then ran off before the police arrived.
Johnson told the court he was walking his dogs, the terrier and a lurcher, in the area and they had been chasing rabbits. He said the dogs ran off and he found the lurcher near the entrance to what he now knew to be the badger sett.
Johnson could hear his dog crying underground and when she did not respond to his calls decided to go home for a spade so he could try and dig her out. He said he blocked the entrance to the sett so the dog would not get out and run away in his absence.
Johnson said he came back with a friend and while he was digging the dog emerged from the sett and his friend caught her.
Magistrates did not believe his version of events, however. Finding him guilty they fined him £270 and ordered him to pay £265 in costs.
Bit Of Work The Scum Wants.
He wouldn’t have the energy to go out Digging or what ever else he has been up to before he was caught.
He won’t have no luck for what he has been up to.