CONVICTED (2024) | Rebecca Hopkins, born c. 1995, currently of Marine Road, Pensarn, Abergele LL22 7PS – left multiple pets without food and water.
Hopkins was sentenced to 10 weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, in September 2023, and was disqualified from owning or keeping pets for five years. However, following an appeal hearing on March 1, 2024, the suspended sentence was revoked and her ban on keeping animals reduced to just three years. Presiding judge Timothy Petts said the original five-year disqualification was “too long” and three years was “more realistic”.
Hopkins admitted charges of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and failing in her duty of care to ensure an animal’s welfare.
Idiot magistrate Tim Petts said the five-year disqualification order imposed on a chaotic woman that abandoned her pets was “too long” with three years being “more realistic”
Barrister Ember-Jade Wong told the court that, on March 30, 2023, officers twice attended Hopkins’ then-address on Bryn Trewan, Caergeiliog, Anglesey, regarding an unrelated matter.
They received no response, but on the second occasion, looked into the property through a gap in blinds to see faeces “all over the floor”.
Officers could also see two dogs without food or water inside the property. When an officer looked through the letter box, one dog was “yelping” and trying to jump over a baby gate.
The next day, officers returned, and the dogs were still in the kitchen, while there was “more faeces than previously”.
Hopkins was also caring for two rats and guinea pigs each at the time; both were said to be within their cages but without food or water.
She was found “sleeping rough” in Colwyn Bay, telling officers she did not intend to return to her Anglesey property due to issues with mould.
On April 15, 2023, officers broke in to the Anglesey property, and were said to have been “overcome with the smell of faeces and urine”.
The dogs were “dishevelled”, and none of the six animals appeared to have any access to food or water.
Following further inspections, the guinea pigs were found to have no fresh bedding, and the acidity of the urine in their cage may have caused burns on their legs.
Of the two rats, one had identifiable breathing issues, and another was underweight.
Neighbours said they “heard dogs barking constantly”, meanwhile.
Hopkins relinquished care of all of the animals save for one of the dogs, but lost her right to also keep this pet after she was convicted.
Representing Hopkins, who had three previous convictions for five offences, Richard Edwards said she moved to Colwyn Bay to be with her partner at the time, understood to be called Lewis Ford.
He was no longer allowed to reside at her address after being convicted of assaulting her, but his Colwyn Bay address prohibited the keeping of animals.
Hopkins wanted to appeal the sentence in respect of her disqualification from keeping animals, as pets were said to bring her some comfort after losing custody of her children.
Judge Timothy Petts, presiding over the appeal with magistrates, removed the suspended jail term, but said a ban on keeping pets would have to stay in place, albeit reduced to a mere three years.
“We realise that is a great source of distress for her,” Judge Petts added.
CONVICTED | serial violent animal abuser Dominic John Callum Jackson aka Dominic Holmes, born 15 October 1997, of Cotswold Terrace, Stanley DH9 6QH – for attacks on multiple pets, causing serious or fatal injuries, while neglecting and starving others; others suffered horrendous neglect and starvation at the home shared with co-defendant Laura Louise Smith, born c. 1992.
Sadistic serial pet abuser Dominic Jackson is disqualified from keeping animals for life while gormless partner Laura Smith, who also goes by the names Laura Jackson or Laura Holmes, only received a one-year ban
Monstrous Dominic Jackson pleaded guilty to inflicting blunt force trauma and physical violence on his pets after he was prosecuted by the RSPCA following reports that he had been seen kicking cats.
Peterlee Magistrates’ Court heard how inspectors from the charity had visited the home of Jackson and Smith on January 28, 2023, to find a number of animals – some of whom were underweight – living in poor conditions.
In her evidence, inspector Rowena Proctor, who attended the property with her colleague Heidi Cleaver, said: “The living room smelled strongly of cat urine and was unclean throughout with very dirty litter trays.
Several of the cats appeared to be very underweight with ribs and pelvis felt with ease. One cat in particular was of major concern.
“I spotted her lying on the top of a corner unit which was around 7.5 feet (2.2 metres) tall and she appeared to be deceased. I was eventually able to reach up far enough to get hold of the cat who thankfully was still alive but appeared weak and lethargic.
“Her name was Missy and she was the skinniest of all of the cats. Our concerns relating to the animal’s weights were explained and following discussion with myself and inspector Cleaver, all cats were put into carriers and removed from the property.”
The animals – five cats called Missy, Toby, Tabby, Felix and Simba, and a crested gecko called Bumblebee – were taken straight for veterinary treatment and later seized by the police as evidence. The vet said all of the cats were suffering and four of them were too thin, although they all made good weight gains with appropriate care in the weeks that followed.
Veterinary notes seen by the RSPCA during the investigation revealed how other pets previously belonging to Jackson – a guinea pig; a ferret; three cats called Tibby, BamBam and Bambi; a black terrier type puppy called Lulu and one unknown species of animal – had also sustained injuries or died without explanation or veterinary intervention.
Tibby was found to have sustained a broken back leg after reportedly falling off the bed when alone in the bedroom with Jackson and died. A ferret called Maggie and a guinea pig were said to have been found dead in their cages by Jackson, who claimed other cats had fallen down the stairs or been found dead behind the sofa. Lulu had suffered a head trauma but has since been rehomed by the RSPCA.
The court heard how Jackson had admitted punching Toby with a closed fist after he’d eaten another cat’s food, resulting in the cat having to have his eye removed. He also said he had slapped Missy and Felix, but could offer no explanation as to why other animals had unexpectedly got injured or died.
Another vet who gave evidence as part of the case, said none of the animals were reported to have sustained accidental injuries such as road traffic accidents or falling from a significant height.
“In my opinion, Missy, Toby, Felix, Simba and Tabby have all been caused to suffer as a consequence of physical abuse,” he said.
“Suffering will have been experienced by these animals via mechanisms of fear, distress and pain for variable periods of time.
“In my opinion it is highly likely that the dog made known as Lulu was also caused to suffer as a consequence of physical abuse, although the details of the circumstances surrounding the injuries to this dog are not sufficient to draw this conclusion with surety.”
Most of the animals removed from the property on January 28 were signed over to the RSPCA during the course of the investigation and have since been rehomed by the charity. A deprivation order made by the court will ensure any that still remain – or have been brought since – must be handed over and will be rehomed.
Jackson was given eight weeks’ custody, suspended for two years, on each of the three offences to run concurrently. He was also given a lifetime disqualification order on keeping animals.
In mitigation, he told the court he was vulnerable and suffering from poor mental health and repeatedly claimed that someone else was responsible for coming into the house and harming the animals.
In September 2023, Laura Smith pleaded guilty to one offence contrary to the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and received a conditional discharge and one-year ban.
Speaking after the conclusion of the court hearing, inspector Proctor said: “This was an extremely upsetting and disturbing investigation as it became clear during the course of our enquiries that a large number of animals had suffered neglect and deliberate cruelty at the hands of Jackson. He had a duty of care towards his pets but instead inflicted violence and injuries.”
Sentencing | Dominic Jackson: eight-week custodial suspended for two years for each of the three offences to run concurrently; £360 in costs and a victim surcharge of £154. Banned from keeping animals for life. Laura Smith: 12-month conditional discharge. One-year ban which expires September 2024.
CONVICTED (2023) | pet hoarder Tania Walker, born 14 May 1964, of Meadow View Close, Oakwood, Derby DE21 2UL – kept 16 rabbits and guinea pigs in a dirty, rat-infested garage.
Driving instructor Tania Walker, who the court heard found it hard to say no, to others took on more animals than she could properly care for and kept them in poor conditions. Image source: Facebook, Tania Walker
Walker, a self-employed driving instructor, pleaded guilty to cruelty charges in relation to eight rabbits and eight guinea pigs kept inside the cluttered, unsanitary garage.
The animals were roaming freely inside the building which was littered with old, soiled hay and thick, hard faeces stuck to the floor.
Rat droppings were visible on many surfaces and the rodents could also be heard moving about in the roof space overhead when RSPCA officers investigated a welfare concern on May 25, 2022.
A vet estimated that some of Tania Walker’s animals had been suffering for at least two months
All of the guinea pigs were unneutered males with many of them suffering bite wounds to their faces, ears and hindquarters.
No clean areas had been provided for the animals. Instead, fresh bedding had been put on top of older soiled material which was becoming deeper and more compacted. Most of the floor and nesting areas were covered in rabbit and guinea pig faeces.
There was a smelly, damp and soiled hay bale in the corner of the garage while, outside, bags of dirty bedding were piled high. .
Around 25 kilograms of carrots – which are high in sugar and should only be fed to rabbits and guinea pigs in small amounts – had been tipped onto the floor in a huge pile on top of the faeces, along with around 10 kg of rabbit nuggets.
Rat droppings were seen on surfaces inside the garage, including a table and on the lids of two barrels, although it was hard to determine whether there were any on the floor due to the large amount of other faeces and rabbit pellets.
Sadly one guinea pig had died after being bitten by a rat. A dead rabbit was also found at the scene.
RSPCA Inspector Rachel Leafe, who had attended the scene, told the court “I saw a deceased rabbit by the side of the garage which was wrapped loosely in a bag.
“The rabbit looked to have died recently. One of its eyes was missing completely from the socket. There was a large gaping hole in the side of the neck and another on the stomach. I was concerned the rabbit had been attacked by another rabbit or rats.
“I could see several guinea pigs that had issues from just observing them on the floor. Two looked to have sore eyes which were partially shut.
Two others appeared lame and I also noted several with fur loss and what looked like bites or skin irritation. Several of the rabbits and guinea pigs had tears in their ears.”
The court heard how the inspector attended the premises again the following day accompanied by a vet who decided it was too unsafe for the animals to stay there and all were likely to suffer if their circumstances did not change.
Upon veterinary examination, the guinea pigs were found to be suffering from bite wounds, open lesions, fur loss, lameness and torn ears and the rabbits also had bite wounds, infected and damaged ears, sores and excessively long nails.
In her evidence, the vet told the court: “It is my opinion that the owner had not taken enough precautions to keep these animals safe from predation. In this instance, from rats and housing multiple unneutered same-sex animals together.
“Due to healed wounds and ripped ears on the vast majority of them, care and management towards these animals have been poor and in my opinion some of these animals would have likely been suffering for in excess of two months.”
In mitigation the court heard that Walker had looked after and taken in animals for decades – including a dog from abroad who she still had. While it was conceded that the care Walker had provided for the 16 rabbits and guinea pigs had been poor, she sometimes found it hard to say no to taking in homeless animals.
The surviving animals went to RSPCA animal centres in Derby and Burton to be rehomed.
Sentencing | 18-month community order; £5,000 costs and £95 victim surcharge. Banned from keeping all animals except dogs for 10 years (expires April 2033).
CONVICTED (2023) | Lukasz Michal Dawidkiewicz, born c. 1981, of St Swithun’s Road, Bournemouth BH1 – set his ex-wife’s home on fire, killing four of her pets.
Lukasz Dawidkiewicz killed two cats and two guinea pigs in a revenge arson attack against his ex-wife
Dawidkiewicz set fire to the first-floor flat in Alder Road, Poole, Dorset leaving “a scene of absolute devastation”.
Two cats and two guinea pigs died in the fire – while a third cat was able to escape.
Polish national Dawidkiewicz initially denied responsibility, claiming the pets must have knocked over a candle.
However, the court heard how he had sent his victim text messages threatening to set fire to the flat, using misogynistic language and telling her she would “return to find blackened walls and nothing to come back to”.
Dawidkiewicz was linked to the crime after his ex-wife showed the messages to police.
The fire tore through the flat in the early hours of May 1, 2022.
Investigators determined it was started deliberately, most likely by pressing a naked flame against a combustible sofa.
Dawidkiewicz pleaded guilty to reckless arson and causing unnecessary suffering to the animals.
In mitigation, his lawyer told the court his client suffered from mental health issues. He added that he hadn’t intended to kill the four pets, describing them as “collateral damage”.
Sentencing, Judge Robert Pawson said the offences were committed “against a backdrop of domestic abuse”.
“You became subsumed in resentment and were unable to rationalise the end of your marriage,” he said.
“There was a simmering anger which was exacerbated by your taking cannabis and alcohol.”
Sentencing | six years and six months in prison,. 12-year restraining order.
CONVICTED (2023) | Robert Stewart Dyer-Sheppard, born 30 June 1977, previously of Linkwood Crescent, Drumchapel, but now believed to be in the Haghill area of Dennistoun, Glasgow* – moved out of his home, leaving behind eight guinea pigs to starve to death.
Dyer-Sheppard pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering by failing to provide adequate food and water for the eight guinea pigs.
When the guinea pigs were found, seven of them had passed away and the surviving female, named Ollie, was emaciated.
Scottish SPCA chief inspector Jennifer Connolly said, “On 18 April 2022 we received a call to our animal helpline regarding concerns that a number of guinea pigs had been left alone at the address for several days.
“We contacted the local council to gain access and discovered Sheppard had moved out on 8 April 2022. Meanwhile our animal helpline received another call, this time from a council employee who had attended the property to change the locks, and discovered a number of dead guinea pigs on the veranda area.
“We attended and discovered the bodies of six Guinea pigs on the veranda. There was a large amount of guinea pig faeces everywhere. There were two empty bowls and an empty cake tin on the floor. No food or water was present.
“There was a plastic cage sitting on top of a hutch containing a further two guinea pigs which was closed, meaning they had no way to leave the cage. One of the animals inside was dead.
“We immediately removed the surviving guinea pig, named Ollie, to a clean pet carrier.
“Ollie was taken to one of our centres for veterinary treatment where she was found to be underweight, but bright and alert.
“In our care she quickly regained weight and has since found a loving new home where she can get the love and attention she deserves.
“We sought a veterinary opinion on how the other seven guinea pigs died and it is estimated they succumbed to dehydration. It’s estimated it would take somewhere between three and five days for a Guinea pig to die of dehydration or over a week to die of starvation assuming water was available.
“Given the timescales of when Sheppard vacated the property we assume there must have been a supply of food and water left initially. However, these resources would not have been evenly shared between the animals and the weaker animals would have passed away more quickly.
“We are pleased that Sheppard received a ban but, given the level of neglect these animals were subjected to, we would have liked for it to have been for a longer period of time.
“Any reasonable owner would not leave their animals unsupervised like this for such an extended period of time and would ensure that someone trustworthy and reliable was responsible for tending to them.”
Sentencing | 75-day restriction of liberty order. Two year ban on owning animals (expires April 2025).
CONVICTED (2023) | animal hoarders John Symon, born 16 October 1981, and wife Victoria Symon, born c. 1986, both of 5 Seaton Gardens, Seaton, Aberdeen AB24 1XD – kept 60 neglected dogs, cats, small furries, birds and reptiles crammed into their flat.
Scottish SPCA inspectors discovered dozens of animals living in appalling conditions at the Symons’ small property, with the smell of animal excrement being described as “overpowering”.
The pair were initially offered support instead of prosecution, but continued to add more animals to their menagerie.
The SSPCA’s first inspection uncovered distressed dogs living in tiny cages among several cats, with various other species kept in enclosures – all coexisting in the couple’s lounge.
The hallway of the flat was covered in plastic sheeting caked in diarrhoea and urine.
The SSPCA inspector said it was obvious there were serious animal welfare issues but the Symons seemed oblivious to her concerns.
Five-year-old Yorkie Bono Bono had an ear and eye infection, dental disease, oily skin and a penis infection
Prosecutor Lydia Ross told the court: “There were so many animals in this small property. The dogs were barking and rocking the cages intensely, which in turn was distressing the other animals.”
The couple signed over ownership of 13 animals – including bearded dragons, cats, dogs and snakes – to the SSPCA for rehoming.
Two days later the SSPCA took a further 39 pets into their care after the couple were persuaded they had too many animals to look after properly. The rescued pets included cats, kittens, dogs, rabbits, chinchillas, gerbils, small birds and a parrot. The couple had attempted to hide a litter of kittens in the bathroom but these too were signed over.
It was agreed at this stage that the couple could keep two dogs and two cats.
During a return visit on September 30, 2020, inspectors discovered the Symons had acquired another seven animals – kittens, rabbits, budgies and a degu.
The couple agreed to relinquish the new pets.
A vet confirmed that several of the animals had been caused unnecessary suffering while in the Symons’ care, with their poor living conditions being a major factor.
Concerned that the couple would go on to acquire more animals, the inspector reported them to Aberdeen City Council’s housing department.
Local authority officials advised the SSPCA that the couple had “learning difficulties” and were “vulnerable”.
A dog in the Symons’ care was severely malnourished
The SSPCA initially decided to work with the couple to help them look after animals rather than prosecute them.
The Crown Office agreed with the approach, suggesting social workers be appointed to assist.
SSPCA inspectors returned to the Symons’ home five months later and made some grim discoveries.
The court was told: “On entering the stairwell of the tenement, there was a strong smell of cat urine”.
They found an empty chinchilla cage but the couple said they no longer had it.
Nearby was a small cage housing seven adult and mixed-sex guinea pigs. The cage was designed to house just two guinea pigs. No food, water or appropriate bedding had been provided for the animals.
All of the guinea pigs had sores on their feet, caused by living in a dirty and over-populated space.
The couple also had a new dog – a Staffordshire bull terrier-type named Jinks.
Further searches of the flat revealed even more animals, including a hamster that was found in good condition but in a dirty cage.
Cats were hidden in two bedroom cupboards.
Some of the animals appeared scared.
The inspector told the couple of her “disappointment at finding such an amount of animals again” after supporting the pair.
“At this point, Victoria and John Symon refused to sign over ownership of any animals into the care of the Scottish SPCA.”
The animals were therefore seized and the Symons were formally cautioned.
The local authority housing department withdrew permission for the couple to keep any pets in the flat.
Veterinary examination of the latest rescued pets uncovered a catalogue of neglect, with many of them being underfed and left to suffer a variety of ailments.
All the cats had highly transmissible ear mites, with the owners’ original two suffering the most severe infestation.
Both had small lacerations just inside their ears, which would have been caused by them scratching.
The Symons would have been aware that their cats had itchy ears and failed to seek veterinary treatment, the vet claimed.
The cats that were taken in had also not been fed enough to maintain an ideal body weight.
They had soiled fur, due to them having diarrhoea.
A one-year-old chihuahua cross named Marshall was thinner than ideal.
A five-year-old male Yorkie called Bono had an ear and eye infection, dental disease, oily skin and a penis infection.
“Bono’s skin and penis infection were visible to his owners and they all needed medical treatment,” the fiscal added.
“His owners caused him unnecessary suffering by not seeking medical treatment.”
Three of the dogs removed from the Symons in September 2020, were emaciated and had multiple health conditions.
All the dogs had dirty, sparse coats – stained with urine – and some were matted with dried faeces.
Two of the dogs had wounds on their bodies that were consistent with bite wounds from another dog.
John Symon with neglected Yorkie Bono
John Symon admitted three charges of causing an animal unnecessary suffering and two charges of failing to meet the needs of an animal.
Victoria Symon admitted one charge of causing an animal unnecessary suffering.
Mr Symon’s defence agent Stuart Murray said a psychiatric report into his client had been “hard-hitting”.
“It puts Mr Symon in the very lowest percentile of cognitive function. That, perhaps, impacts his behaviour in relation to the matter in court today.
“He presents as a man who is very amiable, likeable and always smiling as a happy-go-lucky character.
“In his mind, he loved the animals. He took too many of the animals in because, as he put it, people wanted him to look after animals for them.
“It’s very clear it was all with good intent but there was an inability to deal with the difficulties in keeping so many animals.”
He added: “There was no malicious intent. What we have here is a man who was doing his best, took on too much and had no insight into his inability to care for those animals.
“What is required for Mr Symon is education in life skills and how they are applied in the real world.”
‘Defence agent Shane Campbell, representing Victoria Symon, echoed the sentiments of Mr Murray.
“She also required assistance and support,” he added.
Sheriff Margaret Hodge told John Symon: “It appears to me that a large number of animals were caused suffering by you neglecting them.
“From the reports, it seems you haven’t really accepted responsibility for what you did. I do understand you have problems and you may not fully have understood the extent of the suffering you inflicted on those animals – but you did inflict it.
“You ignored poor conditions, illness and signs of infection. You kept them in a condition that was bound to end in death if not illness.”
She told his wife: “You ignored the significant infections and suffering of your own dog. I do accept you too have a lack of insight, which is not necessarily your fault”.
She said both of them were “unable to ever understand fully” their offending.
Speaking about the case SSPCA inspector Fiona McKenzie, said: “I tried on several occasions to work with John and Victoria Symons in relation to their animals. Initially a number of animals were removed reducing them to an acceptable number of two dogs and two cats. Both the Symons disregarded advice given and continued to accumulate multiple animals.
“During these investigations a total of 76 animals were removed from the two-bedroom flat. These animals included dogs, cats, kittens, rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, gerbils, a parrot and various small birds.
“On searches of the property cats were found hidden within pet carriers in cupboards and kittens found under dirty laundry.
“The smell within the property was horrendous due to the amount of animal’s excrement. It was so bad it could be smelt in the communal landing. These animals were extremely stressed and in ill health due to such poor living conditions.
“I was extremely disappointed with the owners in this case of neglect as we made every effort to try and help the couple initially. The continuing neglect and suffering being caused to animals resulted in a case reported to the procurator fiscal.
“The Symons could have easily prevented their animals from suffering by providing adequate nutrition and seeking veterinary treatment for their medical conditions.
“I feel the lifetime ban on owning or keeping any animals handed to both John and Victoria Symons on 22nd February 2023 is a justified outcome for the suffering these animals had to endure.”
Sentencing | one-year supervision order. Lifetime ban from keeping animals.
CONVICTED (2023) | Louis Mason, born 27 May 2004, of 10 Coppice Wood Crescent, Yeadon, Leeds LS19 7LG – battered a guinea pig to death.
Mason admitted inflicting blunt force trauma on a white and tan guinea pig known as Bun Bun, causing the animal to suffer extensive fatal injuries.
The incident took place at Eliot Grove in Guiseley, Leeds, on March 17, 2022.
The prosecution was brought by the RSPCA.
Sentencing | 50 hours of unpaid work; 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days; supervision; £195 towards the RSPCA’s costs of £3,000 plus victim surcharge. Banned from owning any animal for life.
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 pictured during his court appearance
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.
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.
CONVICTED (2022) | former pet shop owner Andrew Paul Garth, born March 1983, of Silwood Drive, Bradford BD2 3ER – starved animals and kept them in squalid conditions; stored the corpses of dead animals in a bin and freezer.
Andrew Garth with wife Sara Turner. She is a convicted animal abuser in her own right and in November 2020 was banned from keeping equines for 10 years in a shocking cruelty case.
Garth, former owner of Allpets and The Bradford Birdman, was charged with causing unnecessary suffering to guinea pigs, rabbits and mice by failing to provide food and water.
An inspection by environmental health officers in January 2020 found animals living in awful conditions, with many of them having died because of a lack of food and water.
Dead animals were found in bins and the freezer storage area. Guinea pigs being mixed in enclosures with rabbits with no attempt at separating male and female animals. No records were kept for feeding or health checks.
Images taken during the inspection show dead mice being stored in a bread bag.
The case was exacerbated by the fact that Garth was providing college students with experience working with animals.
The findings were verified by a vet, who confirmed that animals were suffering or had died through a lack of food.
Magistrates noted that he showed no remorse for his actions.
Handing down their sentence, Chair of the bench A Coward said: “This was the prolonged ill treatment of several animals.
“It caused death, serious injury and harm to animals. There was a high level of suffering, and we haven’t seen any remorse from you.
“The surviving animals were found in squalid conditions. All this while you were supervising college student to learn on work experience.
“The bench feels that this matter is so serious only custody will suffice.”
They took into account his previous good character and his guilty plea, although they gave limited weight to mitigation that Garth was suffering health issues.
Garth’s defence told the court they would be appealing the sentence, and Garth’s detention will be delayed pending the appeal.
Sentencing: 20-week prison sentence; £128 fine. Lifetime ban on keeping animals but may appeal after five years.
#MostEvil | Jason Vernon Campbell, born 5 August 1988, of 24 Castle Mount, The Mount, Heswall, Wirral CH60 4RA – bought small animals from a pet shop to torture and kill.
On March 16, 2021, Campbell confessed to having urges to harm people and animals and had recently acted upon them by torturing and killing two hamsters and a guinea pig. He confessed the crimes to a mental health worker, prompting an RSPCA investigation.
Officers interviewed the owner of Pets Paradise on Seaview Road in Wallasey, who confirmed a man had bought two hamsters and one disabled guinea pig, who did not have the use of her rear legs, over a five-week period.
In an interview Campbell said he had been in pain due to a prolapsed disc in his spine which had caused him to suffer depression and anxiety.
On the first occasion Campbell, using a fake name, bought a hamster and while in his car tortured the animal, dismembering her.
Two weeks later Campbell went back and bought another hamster and began flicking her before breaking her neck.
After another two weeks he went back to the pet shop and bought a guinea pig at a reduced rate because she was disabled as her rear legs weren’t working.
The court heard he broke all of the animal’s legs, her ribs and then her neck.
Campbell admitted three counts of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal on December 25, 2020 and on January 16 and January 27, 2021.
Sentencing: jailed for eight weeks and banned from keeping animals for 10 years.
