CONVICTED (2022) | Ryan Hancock, born 1 July 2003, of 2 Prestwich Street, Burnley BB11 4NZ, Marcus Leverett (aka Marcus Tomlinson), born 1 January 2003, of 49 Harold Avenue, Burnley BB11 5LJ and Zak Oldfield, born 9 March 2005 of 3 Greenock Street, Burnley BB11 4DT – used dogs to fight and kill cats, badgers, deer, rabbits and birds before posting footage of the attacks on TikTok.
Hancock and his accomplices Leverett and Oldfield targeted animals on the Stoops Estate in Burnley and wildlife in the surrounding area.
Magistrates heard how the trio had been involved in incidents involving domestic cats, badgers and rabbits.
On 17 March 2021 Hancock and Oldfield were seen encouraging a dog to attack a family cat named Gatsby.
A member of the public filmed the attack from a bedroom window as it took place on a field at the back of Melrose Avenue, Burnley. The lurcher dog was seen to jump out of a back yard and then chase the cat. Hancock and the youth could then be seen encouraging the attack as one of them filmed it on his mobile phone.
Gatsby’s owner screamed at them from her bedroom window and her husband went into the field. An older man, who was the grandfather of one of the teenagers, had approached them and he handed the cat over to the owner’s husband. Tragically, Gatsby died on the way to the vet.
The witness passed the “horrendous” footage to Lancashire Police, who then executed warrants in April 2021 under the Animal Welfare Act at four properties in Burnley.
Mobile phones seized from the defendants revealed 182 videos that showed graphic cruelty to animals, some of which had been set to music and edited for use on video sharing social site, TikTok.
The magistrates were shown gruesome footage of two lurchers dragging a badger from a wooden crate and attacking it.
During the eight minute video a man could be seen kicking the badger repeatedly as one dog had hold of it by the neck and another by a hind leg.
The tormented animal, which could be heard squealing, eventually made it to woodland at the edge of the field where it was finished off by the dogs.
One of the charges related to one of the dogs, Cassie, who received injuries to her face during the brutal incident which had not been treated by a vet.
Hancock pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, a black and white cat called Gatsby, by encouraging a dog to attack the cat; causing unnecessary suffering to the same cat by failing to suppress the attack; causing unnecessary suffering to a rabbit by causing it to be attacked by a dog; causing unnecessary suffering to two rabbits by causing them to be attacked by a dog; attempting to kill a badger; causing unnecessary suffering to a tan lurcher called Cassie by failing to provide veterinary treatment for injuries; attempting to kill a badger; possessing a live badger; wilfully killing a badger; and causing an animal fight to take place between two dogs and a badger. He was jailed for 12 weeks.
Leverett pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to an unnamed grey tabby cat by encouraging a dog to attack it which led to the cat’s death and causing unnecessary suffering to a lurcher dog called Storm by failing to provide veterinary treatment for its injuries. He received a suspended 12-week sentence.
Oldfield pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to Gatsby, possessing a live badger, willfully killing a badger and causing an animal fight to take place. He was given a youth referral order.
After the sentencing, RSPCA officer Jason Bowles, who led the investigation, said: “This group of lads was targeting animals on the council estate they lived on as well as wildlife in the surrounding area.
“We found awful footage on their mobile phones that showed extreme cruelty to animals. Many of the photos and videos had been set to music and edited for sharing online.
“Not only did the animals they attacked and killed suffer, but their own dogs also suffered from injuries in the confrontations and fights.”
Jason added: “If anyone notices dogs, such as terriers and lurchers, suffering recurring injuries like cuts and wounds around the face, then we’d ask them to contact the police or RSPCA to report their concerns.”
PC Matt Hartup, part of the Lancashire Police Rural Task Force in the East of the county, said: “This operation – known as Op Ratchet – shows how closely we work in partnership with other agencies to tackle all sorts of crime, and bring offenders to justice.
“The glamorisation of this type of violence is barbaric and serves no purpose in the countryside; it promotes horrendous suffering and abuse of animals – including the lack of concern for the welfare of the dogs used for these crimes.
Sentencing
Hancock admitted 11 offences and was jailed for 18 weeks.
Leverett and the other youth also admitted to animal welfare offences.
Leverett was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months, by the magistrates, while Oldfield received a 12-month referral order at Blackburn Youth Court.
All three were banned from keeping animals for 10 years, while Hancock and Leverett were ordered to pay £1,000 in costs.
Additional Information
On 8 February 2022 Ryan Hancock was given a two-year community order with 150 hours of unpaid work and 20 rehab days after pleading guilty to common assault and assault on a young father.
Oldfield lives with his grandparents, Gordon and Alison Renton, as his mother is allegedly an alcoholic. They previously lived at 2 Melrose Avenue, Burnley BB11 4DX.
Leverett also lives with grandparents, Angela and Sam Leverett.
Bit Of Work The Sad Scum Want.
They wouldn’t have the energy to go out Hunting or Lamping, or whatever else they have been up to, before they were caught.
What Sad Lives these young scum live.
The Dragged Up Scum Have Brought Shame To Their Families, and they Risk Being Bullied through the Actions Of Their Offspring. At least now their Faces are out there and everyone knows who they are, which will affect them for the rest of their lives. (The 16 Year Old Should Be Named). As they didn’t conceal the names of the Two 10 Year Olds, who killed James Bulger. Yet Again Pathetic Sentences By The Courts. They won’t get no luck for what they have done. They have already ruined their future, as they are now unemployable.
This is my Cousin you talking about, he is not Scum. He just hasn’t had the best up bringing. We are a little disappointed but we love him just the same. The fact that you would judge that harshly and not even know anything about him. That’s sad.
What utter nonsense. Lots of people have tough childhoods but they don’t take their frustrations out on innocent animals. All of these yobs have earned their lifelong entry on our database through their horrible shitty behaviour.
Other people have had bad upbringings and don’t behave like that. Cruel and disgusting . I knew that lovely cat. And they tortured and killed so many animals . How would you like it if it was your pet. Inexcusable. What’s sad is that you’re defending them. Hope they become better people
They have, he’s become a lovely young lad. And if you did know what he was going through you would simpithise. I’m not defending him but it’s not his fault it was in the dogs nature to hunt. I also knew the dog who did it. Beautiful dog, would never hurt a human. Only bread to hurt animals
He’s a sadist, a coward, will probably get worse. Face the facts. Scum like this, don’t you realize, they need shooting.
And I would just like to address my frustration that they have put on the address. Its not just those boys who live in those houses. They’re parents and maybe younger siblings do, even they’re grandparents. They are exposing the families to danger when the families have done nothing. It is wrong.
What planet are you on, is it the planet moron. Fuck off.
No comment motherfuckerzzzz
He’s nothing but pond scum. Hope karma makes him suffer as much as the poor animals. Evil to the core. And the girl defending him, have a word with your morals, likely dragged up the same way as him if you think you can justify his action with upbringing excuses.
He’s a sadist, a coward, will probably get worse. Face the facts. Scum like this, don’t you realize, they need shooting.
You need to educate yourself, it will be the best thing you can do for yourself and your future children.
FAO Courtney O brien
If I had the money I would see to it that they never walk or talk again. I would love to meet them.