Tag Archives: 2016 cases

Dogs, hare coursing, hunting with dogs, Organised Animal Crime, poaching, Serial Animal Abusers, Traveller Animal Crimes, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports

Thornton, Liverpool: Liam Doherty

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CONVICTED (2023) | serial hare courser Liam Doherty, born c 1990, of Ince Road, Thornton, Liverpool L23 4UF – used dogs to hunt wild hares.

Persistent hare courser Liam Doherty from Thornton, Sefton, Liverpool

Doherty, who in January 2016 was convicted of the same offence* alongside Bootle men James Reid, born 1 October 1983, and Neil Walsh, born c. 1985, was convicted of hunting a wild mammal with dog/s under the Hunting Act 2004

He was prosecuted after officers from the South Rural Task Force were called to land near to the Lancashire/Merseyside border. It followed reports that a man had been seen hare coursing by the landowner in February 223.

Officers from Lancashire Constabulary attended and stopped and searched a 4×4 vehicle in a nearby residential street.

In a statement issued on October 9, 2023, South Rural Police Taskforce officer PC Helen Williams said: “Hare coursing can be extremely distressing for our community as offenders commit cruel acts towards our wildlife. It is a misconception for people to think this is a minor crime in the countryside.

“Those involved in hare coursing trespass on land, damaging crops and property. The measures farmers have to put in place to deter these offenders cost considerable amounts of money which in turn is passed onto food consumers.

“The South Rural Task Force is committed to stamping out wildlife crime in Lancashire and we would like to thank local farmers and landowners for reporting these offences.”

Sentencing | ordered to pay £537 in fines and costs. The vehicle used in the offence was also seized.

LancsLive
Liverpool Echo

*Previous Conviction (2016)

In January 2016 Liam Doherty, James Reid and Neil Walsh were all handed Criminal Behaviour Orders after being caught using dogs to poach protected brown hares on Lancashire farmland.

Police mugshots, taken 2016) of persistent hare coursers Liam Doherty, James Reid, Neil Walsh, all from Liverpool
L-R Liam Doherty, James Reid, Neil Walsh

Doherty, at the time living in Crosby and Reid and Walsh, both from Bootle, were caught entering farmland with four dogs with the intent of hunting brown hares.

The 18-month order prohibited the men from entering a large area of West Lancashire with a dog or being in company with anyone with a dog, until June 2017.

Hare courser James Reid from Liverpool
James Reid

PC Ivan Leivers said: “These three men have regularly and routinely entered West Lancashire with the express intent of hunting a protected mammal – the brown hare – with their dogs.

“This order will ensure that if they continue to partake in this barbaric activity, they face the very real possibility of being given a custodial sentence.

“The other offenders who come here to carry out coursing should be warned we will apply for these orders wherever and whenever we can.”

Dogs, Equine Abuse, Multiple Species, Serial Animal Abusers, Worst of the Worst

Craigavon, County Armagh: Martin, Mark and Hannah Henry

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CONVICTED (2022) | Martin Henry, born c. 1954, son Mark Henry, born 5 November 1991, and daughter Hannah Henry, born c. 1994, all of 125 Legahory Court, Craigavon BT65 5DF – starved and neglected five dogs.

The Henrys pleaded guilty to several counts of animal cruelty and failing to ensure the needs of five dogs were met.

The court heard the family home was covered in animal excrement and there was no food or water available for their pets.

Hannah Henry was the owner of two shih tzus, an akita and a jack russell.

The two shih tzus both had a body score of one – which means they were severely underweight.

The akita had been kept on an eight-foot-long chain in a pen in the garden – a pen that was too small for the animal to lie down in and was not watertight.

There was no bedding or drinking water. Excrement littered the floor of the pen.

Mark Henry, who had a previous conviction for animal cruelty and had been banned from owning animals, was the owner of a labrador cross.

He too was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.

He was found to have breached a disqualification order.

Their father, Martin Henry also entered guilty pleas to causing the Jack Russell and two shih tzus unnecessary suffering and failing to meet their needs.

None of the animals had access to water or food. They had never been taken to a vet or groomer or had their nails clipped.

The judge described the charges as a “litany of the most horrible acts a human being can carry out” and said it was “beyond contemplation” that it had been allowed to happen.

Sentencing |
Hannah Henry: two-year probation order.
Mark Henry: 200 hours of community service; three-month suspended prison sentence for breaching his banning order.
Both were ordered to pay £130 court costs and were barred from keeping animals for 10 years.

Martin Henry will be sentenced on 3 May.

BBC News

Update 9 June 2022

Martin Henry was found guilty of animal welfare offences in relation to five dogs kept in extremely poor environmental conditions and with no access to fresh water or food.

All of the dogs were voluntarily signed over to the Animal Welfare Service, including a Jack Russell-type dog owned by son, serial animal abuser Mark Henry.

Sentencing | suspended prison sentence; 10-year ban.

ArmaghI

Additional information

In March 2016 Mark Henry was convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to ponies in his care. He was prosecuted by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, when a concerned member of the public reported seemingly abandoned ponies on land at Burnside.

Vets found one young, extremely thin pony lying on his side in a distressed state. The pony was put to sleep to prevent any further suffering.

The two other ponies were tethered in such a way that they had no access to suitable food or water and they were seized and removed.

Henry was fined £600 and was banned from keeping animals for ten years, with costs awarded to the council of £1,950 along with £17 court fees.

Birds, Cats, Dogs, Multiple Species, Serial Animal Abusers

Sutton-On-Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire: Susan Carmichael

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CONVICTED (2021) | Susan C Carmichael, born c. 1948, of Dalsetter Rise, Sutton-on-Hull HU8 9JE – repeatedly breached a ban on keeping pets imposed for a 2018 animal cruelty conviction.

The “timid” cat has been rehomed and is now known as Cameron Poe.


Carmichael was found guilty of breaching a three-year ban on keeping animals imposed in relation to a 2016 cruelty case. This was her second breach.

In March 2018 Carmichael received a three-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, for the same offence by keeping two shih tzu-type dogs, known as Tia and Ty, and a budgerigar called Georgie. She was also found to have failed to protect the dogs from pain, suffering, injury and disease by not adequately grooming them; and failing to provide the dogs with a suitable environment.

She previously breached the ban In March 2018 after two Shih Tzu dogs and a budgerigar were found at her home and a further three-year ban was imposed.

RSPCA inspector Jilly Dickinson visited Carmichael’s home on 12 February 2020, following a tip-off that she had a pet.

There was no answer, but Inspector Dickinson returned to the house two days later accompanied by a council animal warden with a warrant to search the property for any pets.

Carmichael’s son was at the house and confirmed that a timid male chocolate-coloured Burmese/Siamese type cat belonged to his mother. The cat was taken into RSPCA care.

Carmichael denied owning the animal but this was not accepted by the court.

In sentencing Carmichael the District Judge said: “It is important that you understand one thing from your appearance today.

“Any more animals in your possession will result in you going to prison.

“That is the most important message you must take from today – there must be no more animals”.

Speaking about the case Inspector Dickinson said: “We rely on the public to notify us of any breach of bans and I would always urge them to report matters like this to us.”

Sentencing: 12-week custodial sentence suspended for 12 months; 12-month supervision requirement; a total of £538 in costs, fines and charges. A 10-year ban on owning animals (expires July 2031).

Hull Live

Animal Sanctuaries from Hell, Cats, Reptiles / Exotics, Serial Animal Abusers

Little Hulton, Manchester: Nick Wilburn

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CONVICTED (2019) | Nicholas John Wilburn (aka Nick Maddock), born 19/10/1990, of Bank Lane, Little Hulton, Manchester M38 9UF – carried out DIY medical treatment on a wounded cat; set up a sham rescue for reptiles while still being subject of a three-year banning order

Convicted animal abuser Nick Wilburn from Little Hulton, Manchester
Serial animal abuser Nick John Wilburn from Little Hulton, Manchester, is also known as Nick Maddock

Serial animal abuser Nicholas Wilburn was banned from keeping animals for three years in November 2016 for cruelty offences involving a wounded cat named Jasper.

Wilburn self-diagnosed and self-treated Jasper using a substance made of alcohol which he applied to an open wound.

Wilburn self-diagnosed and self-treated Jasper’s condition and left the moggy in agony

He later advised another person to use the same treatment when he passed over care of the cat.

But RSPCA officers say the treatment administered by Wilburn would actually have caused Jasper additional pain and suffering.

At the time Wilburn was involved with Bolton-based exotic pet rescue MagnaRep, later renamed Nick’s Ark – which was shut down in April 2017 following an RSPCA raid.

Convicted animal abuser Nick Wilburn from Little Hulton, Manchester

A trial followed during which five people, including Wilburn’s mother, Sue Maddock, were cleared.

Nicholas and Ryan Wilburn, who have since separated, have now been convicted.

Wilburn was found guilty of breaching his disqualification from owning animals; and for owning a bush viper without a licence.

Convicted animal abusers Ryan and Nick Wilburn pictured outside court where they faced cruelty charges
Convicted animal abusers Ryan and Nick Wilburn pictured outside court where they faced cruelty charges

Nick Wilburn’s ex-husband Ryan Anthony Wilburn, born 29/07/1991, of Epping Drive, Sale, Trafford M33 5LN was found guilty of aiding and abetting the breach of a disqualification; and for owning a bush viper without a licence.

Anna McDonald, prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, said charity workers are still looking after 70 seized animals. Some died following the raid.

Convicted animal abuser Nick Wilburn from Little Hulton, Manchester

Sara-Lise Howe, defence lawyer for Nicholas Wilburn, pushed for a lenient sentence for her client, highlighting that he is a carer for his mother and another disabled woman.

“He has anxiety and depression,” she added.

“It was his involvement with animals which made him not have to take medication. His own health is affected by a continued disqualification.”

The judge banned Nicholas from owning animals for a further five years.

Judge John Temperley told him: “I am concerned that you do post a risk in relation to animals.

“I find you made a serious and persistent breach which took place over a matter of months. You showed an almost complete disregard [for the order] the court made.

“There was a risk of suffering or harm to a large number of animals kept at Nick’s Ark.”

Ryan Wilburn was said by the judge to have had a ‘misguided sense of loyalty’ to his husband when he got involved.

Defence lawyer, Sheila Whitehead, said: “[Ryan] is not a danger to any animal.

“His part in the charity was only to clean and feed the animals and follow the instructions of Nick.”

Judge Temperley said: “Nick was the more dominant one in the relationship.

“I accept that Nick was the driving force and that yours was a smaller role.”

Ryan escaped a disqualification order.

Sentencing |
Nick Wilburn – 12-week suspended prison sentence; 200 hours of unpaid work; £500 costs. Banned from keeping animals for a further five years (expires February 2024).
Ryan Wilburn – 200 hours of unpaid work; £500 costs; no ban.

Manchester Evening News

Equine Abuse, horses and ponies

High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire: Donna Glenister

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CONVICTED (2017) | Donna Glenister (aka Donna Ward), born 06/12/1972, of Tapping Road, High Wycombe HP14 3DY – for horse cruelty; repeatedly breaching ban on keeping horses

Glenister was first banned from owning horses in 2012 and was later hauled in front of magistrates in June 2015 after RSPCA investigators found she had bought two horses and was keeping them in stables in Henley-on-Thames.

In January 2016 Glenister was ordered to pay almost £2,000 after being caught breaking the court’s disqualification order for a second time in less than a year. That offence was discovered just a week after the 2015 hearing, with a member of the public tipping off the RSPCA over suggestions she had bought another horse.

Then in July 2017 after being caught breaching her ban for a third time, Glenister was given a 12-week prison sentence suspended for 12 months, and ordered to pay costs of £750 and a £115 victim surcharge. Her disqualification order on keeping horses was extended for a further seven years and will now expire in 2024.

Bucks Free Press

Cats, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers

Dingwall, Scottish Highlands: Mateusz Podlawski

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CONVICTED (2017) | Mateusz Podlawski, born c. 1986, of Tulloch Square, Dingwall IV15 9UA – threw an elderly cat into a charity clothing bank and left her there to die.

Mateusz Podlawski outside court

Drug addict Podlawski’s cruel act was seen by customers at a local shop and police and firefighters freed the distressed animal.

The Polish national had denied that on April 14, 2016, he put the 18-year-old cat in the container in the Co-op car park in Dingwall with no means of escape, contrary to the Animal Health and Welfare Scotland Act.

But after a trial at Inverness Sheriff Court, Podlawski was found guilty of the offence.

The court was told that Podlawski had grabbed the cat by the neck, raised it above his head and said: “This cat belongs in the bin.”

Eyewitness Mitchell Ellis described how Podlawski, who appeared to be affected by drugs, put the cat into the clothes bin.

He asked him: “What did you do that for?”

Podlawski replied: “It lives in there.”

Mr Ellis told the court: “I said ‘don’t be stupid’. There was no way the cat could get out. I pulled off my jumper and dangled it in the bin in the hope that it would grab it. But all it did was miaow. I thought it might die of fright.”

Mateusz Podlawski outside court

Another witness, Sheena MacGregor, said: “He had been hovering about the Co-op car park and looked shady.

“Then he threw the cat in the bin. It was one of those that there was no coming out. We were so shocked. We went into the shop and told the staff who phoned the police.”

Scottish SPCA animal rescue officer Ann Shewan was called after police failed in an attempt to open the clothing bin. Shining a torch in, she saw the cat sitting on top of a black bin bag .

“The fire brigade came and used hydraulic cutters to open the bin lid. There was a bang and the cat shot out and ran off.”

Sentencing: 150 hours of unpaid work as a direct alternative to custody.

Press & Journal

Dogs, Lifers, Worst of the Worst

Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham: Clare Parkinson and Mark Henry

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CONVICTED (2017) | Clare Louise Parkinson, born 24 June 1982, and Mark Neville Henry, born 11 January 1979, of Doncaster Crescent, Stockton-on-Tees TS19 0LF – neglected an English bull terrier found blind and with bleeding sores all over his body.

Clare Parkinson and Mark Henry are both banned from having animals for life.
Clare Parkinson and Mark Henry are both banned from having animals for life.

In December 2016 Parkinson pleaded guilty to two charges of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal in relation to the dog, known as Spitz. Her partner, Mark Henry, had gone on the run but appeared in court one week later to deny cruelty to Spitz. He later changed his plea to guilty and was sentenced in late March 2017.

Spitz was found by an RSPCA inspector in a “dreadful condition”, blind with sores on his body.
Spitz was found by an RSPCA inspector in a “dreadful condition”, blind with sores on his body.

The pair failed to care for Skitz who had severe skin and eye conditions. The dog, who had suffered for around two years, was found by the RSPCA in August 2016 to be “so distressed” he had to be put down.

John Ellwood, prosecuting, said: “What is particularly sad about this case is that the defendants had been warned about proper care for Skitz by the RSPCA previously.”

Mark Henry eventually showed up for court to deny the charges against him, but later changed his plea.
Mark Henry eventually showed up for court to deny the charges against him, but later changed his plea.

Mr Ellwood went on to describe how Skitz’ spine was visible, his stomach inflamed, his eyes red with yellow discharge, his feet were swollen with sores and there were open and bleeding scab sores all over his body.

He said: “The tragic nature of this case is that Skitz by this time was blind. His blindness was caused by the defendant’s failure to obtain treatment for his eyes. Blood vessels had grown into his eyes because they were constantly inflamed.

“So distressed was he that the only course open was to carry out euthanasia.

“Sadly, therefore, this is a case of prolonged neglect eventually causing the ultimate death of an animal committed in the presence of children and aggravated by a failure to heed advice.”

Parkinson’s other dog, Polly, was ordered to be taken and re-homed by the RSPCA

Sentencing:
Parkinson – eight-week prison sentence. Banned from keeping animals for life.
Henry (20/03/2017) – nine-week prison sentence suspended for two years; 200 hours of unpaid work. Banned from keeping animals for life.

Teesside Live 11/12/2016
Teesside Live 29/03/2017

Dogs

Poole, Dorset: Samantha Miller

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CONVICTED (2016) | Samantha Jade Miller (aka Sam Roberts), born 19 December 1978, of Victoria Rd, Poole BH12 – left dogs Charlie and Tia to suffer without food and failed to treat painful skin conditions while she enjoyed holidays in Cyprus

Animal abuser Samantha Miller from Poole, Dorset, UK

Single mother-of-six Miller told RSPCA officers she could not afford veterinary care for the emaciated animals.

But when an RSPCA inspector visited Miller’s home in Victoria Road, Poole, he was told by one of her daughters that she was in Cyprus for the third time in a year.

Crossbreed Charlie was left in agony with an untreated skin condition
Crossbreed Charlie was left in agony with an untreated skin condition

Miller pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to protected animals between November 15 2015 and January 5 2016. She also admitted failing to protect animals from pain and suffering, injury and disease.

Charlie and Miller's other dog Tia recovered in the RSPCA's care
Charlie and Miller’s other dog Tia recovered in the RSPCA’s care

Miller was visited four times by an RSPCA inspector who gave her advice and told her to feed the animals and take them to the vet.

But she failed to heed the advice and, when the condition of the dogs deteriorated, they were taken away from her.

Magistrates heard the RSPCA inspector had given Miller food for the dogs, but she criticised it.

The animals had painful skin conditions because they were “riddled” with fleas, open wounds, sores and conjunctivitis and were clearly incredibly uncomfortable and suffering, the court heard.

Animal abuser Samantha Miller from Poole, Dorset, UK

Miller told the court she was in debt and could not afford the vet. She said she was ashamed and did not realise the seriousness of their condition.

After the hearing, RSPCA inspector Jo Story told the Daily Echo: “I think it is an appropriate sentence. If she didn’t understand it was serious, she wouldn’t understand how to look after other animals.

“We really try to provide help and guidance and my colleague could not have done any more. She ignored the advice continually.”

Charlie and Tia recovered and were rehomed by the RSPCA.

Sentence: 240 hours of unpaid work; victim surcharge of £60. Banned from keeping animals for 10 years (expires December 2026)

Dorset Echo

Cats, Hoarders, kitten breeders, Pet Profiteering

Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire: Elizabeth Richmond-Watson

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CONVICTED (2016) |Elizabeth Richmond-Watson, born 02/06/1960, of Halfacre, Henley-on-Thames RG9 6DB – neglected 64 Bengal cats

Cat breeder Elizabeth Richmond-Watson from Henley on Thames was banned from keeping animals after ‘extreme neglect’
Cat breeder Elizabeth Richmond-Watson from Henley on Thames was banned from keeping animals after ‘extreme neglect’

Elizabeth Richmond-Watson, owner of Owlsdene Bengals, was found guilty of offences under the Animal Welfare Act of failing to protect 64 Bengal cats in her care because of a lack of disease control programme and appropriate hygiene provisions to prevent the spread of disease.

Cruel cat breeder Elizabeth Richmond-Watson

The RSPCA visited Richmond-Watson’s address in February 2016 after concerns were raised about the welfare of a number of cats bred to sell.

Inspectors found the property in a sordid state with cats roaming the “unhygienic” house and outbuildings.

Food had been left lying around and many of the animals were suffering from illnesses including cat flu and eye infections.

Three animals had to be put down at the scene and another four in the days afterwards due to health and behavioural issues.

RSPCA inspector Rachel Smith said: “When we arrived there were lots and lots of cats just roaming the house and the outbuildings, which had been built for breeding in completely unhygienic conditions.

“It was chaotic with clutter and rubbish and there was food lying around — a totally unsuitable environment for these cats to be living in.

“Sadly, the owner was just not providing proper care for these cats, leading to some extreme neglect.

“She may have had the best of intentions but the reality was the animals were suffering and we had to act to ensure there was no further suffering.”

Richmond-Watson will be able to appeal for her ban to be lifted after one year.

Sentence: 12-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months; 60 hours’ unpaid work; ordered to pay £10,000 costs plus victim surcharge; disqualified from keeping animals for three years (expired December 2019 but she could appeal as early as December 2017).

Metro