CONVICTED (2023/24) | Lauren Angela Downes, born 3 May 1985, of Parc Mellan, Penzance TR18 3PB, and Wayne Hickman, born c. 1979, also of Penzance – left their dog in constant pain with chronic dental disease.

Lauren Downes pleaded guilty to causing suffering to the Staffy-type dog named Ruby and was sentenced in August 2023. Her partner, hotel worker Wayne Hickman, initially denied the charges, but later changed his plea. His sentencing hearing was in January 2024.

Hickman’s defence barrister told the court that his client had no money, was in arrears with his rent and was in the process of being evicted from his home.

“He accepts that he can’t have a dog for the foreseeable future and there is genuine remorse that at a time when he was struggling with a relationship breakdown,” he said.

“His dog was neglected in a way that it should not have been.”

Sentencing Hickman, Judge Simon Carr said the circumstances of this case were “chilling”.

“You were joint owner with your partner of a Staffordshire Bull Terrier,” he said.

“One of the features in the reports of this case that I have read is that this was one of the most mild mannered and gentle and amenable dogs it was possible to imagine.

“In some ways that makes the brutality it experienced even worse.”

He said in 2022 when Hickman was living with Downes it was obvious during a veterinary visit paid for by others that this dog needed “substantial” dental care.

The photographs of the dog’s teeth were not easy to look at, he said, and it would be obvious to anyone seeing them that work needed to be done.

“The dog would have been in constant pain,” he said.

He said despite separating from his partner he continued to see the dog and would have been aware she was suffering and the appalling conditions in which she was kept and yet he did nothing.

He said even if Hickman could not have afforded a vet he could have contacted the RSPCA and any other organisation.

“Instead you chose to close your eyes, turn your back and allow your dog to suffer as this dog suffered every minute of every day with those pains,” he said.

“When you take on responsibility for an animal you take on a huge responsibility. It is you they look to for security and food for treatment when they need it. Taking on an animal is not something you take on part time and you failed consummately in your obligations.”

During Lauren Downes’ sentencing hearing the court noted that custody was appropriate given the prolonged incidents of serious neglect that caused very high levels of suffering to the dog , despite warnings and professional advice.

Sentencing |
Wayne Hickman: 12-week custodial suspended for two years; £1,000 towards costs. Banned from owning a dog for 10 years (expires January 2034) .
Lauren Downes: 12-week custodial suspended for 18 months; rehabilitation; 200 hours of unpaid work; £400 towards costs plus £154 victim surcharge. Banned from keeping all animals for 15 years (expires August 2038).

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