CONVICTED | Vincent James Parkes, aka Callum McCormack, born 3 June 1989, of 2 Cockington Close, Northwich CW9 8BZ – kept six 10-foot-long pythons in cold and filthy conditions in a dilapidated lock-up garage.
Neighbours called the RSPCA to report a foul smell coming from Parkes’ garage, and when officers arrived, they were able to peer through a gap in the rotten garage door and confirm there were live snakes inside.
Parkes turned up soon after and removed several dead snakes – three or four – from a single tank at the garage in the presence of RSPCA inspectors, telling them he ‘knew they had no power’, before police arrived to stop him.
After police arrived, inspectors found six live snakes, snakes eggs, and a tank containing the rotten carcass of a lamb.
Parkes confirmed they belonged to him, and that he was breeding them.
The live animals were recovered from the garage with the help of staff at Cheshire Reptile Rescue, who took charge of them on behalf of the RSPCA.
Sadly one snake, a yellow female known only as NN1, died soon after arriving at the sanctuary.
The remaining animals were later examined by vet Jennifer Quayle, who gave evidence to the court.
She said some were so underweight their spines were visible through their skin, and others were mite-infested and had respiratory infections caused by the cold.
A second vet Maria Kubiak said the snakes had probably not been fed for several months, which was ‘just one of a significant number of welfare concerns that should have been noticed, including no water, inadequate or no heating, and insufficient space for them to display natural behaviours’.
Sentencing | 18 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months; court costs of £500. Banned from keeping any animal for 10 years (expires May 2033).
Additional Information
Vincent Parkes is also a backyard breeder trading under the name Dynamic Bull’z or Dynamic Bully’z.
Update | October 2023
Vincent Parkes, who now uses an online alias of Callum McCormack while continuing to flog puppies in conjunction with partner Hanna Buckley, was jailed for a total of 32 weeks after being caught driving while disqualified. This breach resulted in his suspended prison sentence being activated.
On Sunday June 25, 2023, Parkes was caught riding a Kawasaki motorbike.
After initially failing to stop for police, it was discovered the bike was also was uninsured and had no MOT.
Parkes pleaded guilty to the driving offences as well as charges of criminal damage and obstructing a police officer relating to an incident in Northwich on July 29, 2023.
Absolute scum, hope he gets shut down. Would never purchase a pup from someone like that tosser.