CONVICTED (2020) | badger baiters Matt McWilliam, born 27/11/1993, of East View, Spitalfield Lane, New Romney TN28 8HQ, Jethro Smith, born 01/09/1995, of 5 Plantation Close, Hothfield near Ashford TN26 1ED and Harry Noble, born 02/11/1995, of Stowting Court Barn, Stowting, Ashford TN25 6BA
Matt McWilliam, Jethro Smith and Harry Noble were members of a large hunting group that participated in barbaric, cruel and illegal blood sports.
A string of the text messages on WhatsApp had led to investigating officers finding sickening videos of two dogs setting upon a defenceless badger. The group also contained comments and photos of offences against badgers, foxes and hares.
The joint probe between the RSPCA and Kent Police led to the trio being jailed for the offences.
All three men pleaded guilty to a string of welfare offences in 2018 and 2019.
After their sentencing, the RSPCA released videos and an image which show the extent of their crimes.
RSPCA Special Operations Unit officer Pippa Boyd said: “After investigating another individual for wildlife offences in East Anglia we found a Whatsapp chat that appeared to be a large hunting group. There were a number of messages in the group from Harry Noble.
“A warrant was executed at Noble’s address in March 2019 and his phone was seized.
“Messages revealed comments, photos and videos related to offences against badgers and foxes.
“He also recorded voice notes and posted messages about his friends who he went out with for ‘a bit of a sport’ with their dogs.
“In some of the videos, dogs can be seen setting upon a badger. The conversation also relates to setting the dogs on foxes and hare.”
This discovery led to three further warrants at properties in Ashford, Maidstone and New Romney, in October 2019.
A total of four dogs were seized: Ollie, Paddy, Tia and Biscuit.
Sgt Darren Walshaw of Kent Police’s Rural Task Force said: “We work closely with the RSPCA on a range of animal welfare issues, providing support and evidence capture in order to assist them in securing convictions.
“In this instance an intelligence-led approach was taken which led to successful convictions for offences under the wildlife act. These individuals actions were not only criminal but barbaric and cruel.
“We are committed to working with the RSPCA to send a message to those participating in illegal blood sports that their actions will not be tolerated.”
Sentencing:
McWilliam – four months in prison; £2,000 costs. Disqualified from owning any animal for life. His dogs Poppy, Tia and Ollie were taken away from him and are being rehomed by the RSPCA.
Smith – four months in prison; £4,450 costs. Disqualified from owning any animal for life. His dog Biscuit was taken off him.
Noble – four months in prison; £2,000 in costs. Disqualified from keeping dogs for life.
Bit Of Work, The Low Life, Mentally Disturbed Scum Want.
They Wouldn’t Have The Energy, To Go Lamping In The Nights, If They Were Were.
The Prison Sentences they receive are much to short, for what they have done.
It makes you think what else they have been up to, and how long they have been doing it, before this instance.
But at least now, their faces are out there and everyone knows who they are, and they are also Banned from keeping them, so at least that’s something.