CONVICTED (2016) | Benjamin George Wilson, born 15 September 1989, of Uplands Road, Queensberry, Bradford BD13 1EW – for badger baiting and dog cruelty

In a case brought by the RSPCA, Wilson pleaded guilty to eight offences under the Protection of Badgers Act and Animal Welfare Act at Bradford and Keighley Magistrates’ Court.

He admitted five allegations of taking eight badgers on five different dates in July and August 2015, including at Thornton in Bradford and a location in Kent.

He was also guilty of cruelty and failing to meet the needs of a lurcher-type dog named Laddie, alongside a further charge of failing to meet the needs of nine bull lurcher-type puppies.

The charges linked to the cruelty of the dogs were said to have taken place at an address in High Street, Thornton, in August and September 2015.

In mitigation, the court heard that Wilson had self-treated Laddie’s injuries with medication he already had, but that he accepted he could have done more for the dog.

He also accepted that the environmental conditions the puppies were living in were unacceptable, although the puppies themselves were said to have been in good health.

A deprivation order was placed on the dogs.

Wilson had also faced charges relating to deer, but the outcome of those isn’t known.

Speaking after the case, RSPCA inspector Sophie Long said: “Laddie had severe injuries to his face and body consistent with being used for badger baiting, and was suffering a great deal when he was removed by police and placed in our care.

“He wasn’t the only animal to suffer for Ben Wilson’s enjoyment.

“Wilson’s own hunting diary, seized by police from his home, along with posts on social media, documented the animals he had caused to suffer and die.

“Nine bull lurcher puppies were living in an unsuitable environment at Wilson’s home, it seems likely bred with the intention of being used to inflict suffering, for his pleasure, in the same way.

“I’m very pleased that we will now be able to seek great new homes for these dogs where they will not be caused to suffer, or be forced to be the cause of suffering for other animals.”

Sentencing | 24 weeks in prison; costs of £750 and a victim surcharge of £115; disqualified from keeping any animals indefinitely, with no appeal against the ban allowed for at least ten years.

Telegraph & Argus
Yorkshire Post

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Update June 2017

Wilson, now of Beechwood Avenue, Wibsey, Bradford BD6, was jailed for 20 months after pleaded guilty to affray and having a bladed article in a public place. The charges followed an incident where Wilson and co-accused Brandon Ward terrorised a young mother after bursting into her home armed with a machete.

Prosecutor Heather Gilmore told the court that the pair visited the address and started kicking the front door.

The 27-year-old woman, who was in the house with her eight-month-old daughter, thought it was children playing a prank and went to the door.

But it suddenly burst open, hitting her and causing swelling to her thumb. The child was crying and agitated.

Wilson went back to the Mitsubishi Shogun they had arrived in and returned armed with the machete. He went upstairs to search but the men left the property after a few seconds when they realised the man they were looking for was not there. They were driven from the scene in the Mitsubishi.

Miss Gilmore said: “It seems a mistake must have been made and the person the defendants were searching for was not in this property.”

She said the complainant was petrified and suffered a swollen and painful thumb which prevented her picking up her daughter. She had been left a nervous wreck and her baby would cry for days after when she heard a loud noise.

The defendants were identified by the woman. The identity of the car driver was unknown.

Miss Gilmore said Wilson had been recalled from licence after receiving a 15-month prison sentence for burglary, which involved him kicking in a door to break in. He had also been jailed for 24 weeks for offences relating to badgers.

Wilson’s solicitor advocate, Ashok Khular, said: “He made a foolish decision to commit the offence over an unpaid debt for a motorbike, compounded by the fact that they went to the wrong address.”

Glasgow Times