CONVICTED (2024) | notorious terrierman, serial wildlife persecutor and violent thug Darren Leslie Fisher, born 14 February 1987, previously of Heald Street, Castleford WF10 4LS but now apparently living in the Methley area of Leeds – kept a dead otter in his freezer and several dead foxes in his garage.
So-called ‘gamekeeper’ Darren Fisher, who is well known to West Yorkshire Hunt Saboteurs due to his role as a terrierman with the Middleton Hunt, admitted keeping a dead otter in his freezer but claimed he was planning on having the animal stuffed to use for educational purposes.
Fisher, director of a company called Rural Security Yorkshire Limited, told Leeds magistrates that he was not aware he needed a licence to possess either a live or dead otter, which are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act.
The court heard that police were searching Fisher’s house on an unrelated matter when they discovered the dead animals.
Fisher pleaded guilty to possessing a wild animal of listed species but walked free from court with a 12-month conditional discharge and paltry £111 fine.
Fisher’s defence barrister said he was given the otter by a young man who worked on a farm, as he was known to have an interest in taxidermy.
“He uses those animals for educational purposes, speaking to youngsters and using the animals to expand their knowledge of wildlife,” he said.
The barrister said the animal was “roadkill” and stressed Fisherhad since applied for a licence to keep otters.
Otters are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017. It is an offence to kill, injure, capture or disturb otters except under licence.
Additional Information
Fisher has racked up several criminal convictions over the years, including some for extreme violence.
In December 2017 Fisher was imprisoned, along with 15 others, for his involvement in a mass brawl at a boxing match during which a woman was knocked unconscious. .
Fisher, who at the time was employed as a terrierman with the Badsworth and Bramham Moor Hunt, was jailed for 23 months, including nine months for breaking the conditions of a previous suspended sentence. This was imposed in July 2017 for a road rage offence in Castleford during which Fisher rained punches on a motorist after a minor collision in Castleford.
Fisher’s victim suffered whiplash injuries to his neck, two bloodshot eyes and impaired vision in his right eye.
The court hearing was told at that point that Fisher had nine previous convictions for assaults.
In December 2019, an inebriated Fisher drove through a roadblock and tried to escape to Portugal to avoid another trial. He was jailed in 2021 for the incident.
Most recently, Fisher has been spotted acting as a security guard for the Badsworth and Bramham Moor Hunt.