CONVICTED (2023) | Izzac Ashley Campbell, aka Izzac Weeks, born 30 August 1993, of 8 Highfields, Codnor, Ripley DE5 9SB – for systematic cruelty to two puppies found with stab wounds, cigarette burns and scalding injuries.
Career crook Izzac Campbell, who as of August 2018 had racked up 33 convictions for 73 offences and has possible links to organised crime, was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to six-month-old bull terriers Sian and Frankie.
The court heard how the RSPCA were called to Campbell’s family home in the village of Codnor to investigate a report of concern for the welfare of the two dogs, but the pets were not at the address.
The dogs were then traced to a property in Woodstock Avenue, Bobbers Mill, Nottingham NG7 5QP and taken into the RSPCA’s care. Both had suffered a catalogue of horrific injuries.
A vet who examined the dogs said: ‘On Frankie I found on the wrist a circular skin lesion next to a small healed skin lesion.
‘On the right toe was also an healed lesion of similar appearance, as these had healed with unhaired scar tissue they were older healed wounds of unknown cause but had the appearance of puncture wound or cigarette burn.
‘On the right side of face was a fresh circular wound close to the eye which was about 10 mms in diameter and was about 3-7 days old.
‘The wound on the face was deeper and more extensive such as a puncture wound by a sharp object.
‘The young female walking with a stiff, unsteady and laboured gait on her hindlegs. She was struggling to weight-bear.
‘There were skin scabs over her nose and throat, fresh flat skin lesions over her ribs and involving the armpit with painful crusts and reddened and ulcerated lesions in a distinctive ‘dribble’ pattern.’
The vet added: ‘The pattern and flat appearance of the skin lesions is consistent with liquid burns caused by hot liquid poured over her back from a height.
‘She exhibited pain reaction and skin hypersensitivity over her entire torso.’
RSPCA inspector Helen Mead, who interviewed Campbell, said in her witness statement: “I had very little in the way of explanation from Campbell about the dogs and what happened to Sian’s leg.
“He claimed her leg was getting better so it was not a problem. He also said that Sian had knocked a pan of boiling water over herself and that was why she had those wounds.
“Throughout the interview, Campbell refused to look at me, or even in my direction, choosing to sit with his grey/silver coat hood up and his side to me throughout.”
District Judge Johnathan Taff condemned Campbell’s actions as “sustained and systemic cruelty”.
He added: “The defendant caused unnecessary suffering – quite deliberately and then it was unforgivable not to seek immediate veterinary treatment for the injuries he caused.”
While in RSPCA care, both dogs sadly showed aggressive tendencies and attacked people involved in their treatment. After 18 months of unsuccessful behaviour therapy, with their aggression still evident and rehoming not an option, the decision was made to put them both to sleep for safety reasons.
RSPCA Inspector Rachel Leafe said: “Both Frankie and Sian had some awful untreated physical injuries which it appears to have affected them in their nature towards people.
“We worked really hard to try to rehabilitate these dogs but there was nothing else we could do – the whole thing has been a very sad and upsetting incident for all involved.”
Sentencing | Jailed for 16 weeks. £200 costs plus £122 victim surcharge. Indefinite ban on owning animals.
Derbyshire Times
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Additional Information
In August 2016 Campbell, then of Howick Drive, Bulwell, Nottingham appeared in court to face domestic violence charges in relation to a former partner. It was alleged that he hit the woman on the head with the flat side of a machete. He then allegedly forced his way into the woman’s house and ordered a man inside to strip and run down the street naked. He is then said to have smashed up the woman’s house. Campbell entered not guilty pleas to assault, occasioning actual bodily harm, causing £1,300 of damage to a TV, possession of a bladed article and witness intimidation. The case was sent to be heard at Nottingham Crown Court. Unfortunately the outcome was not reported online.
Source: Nottingham Post (retrieved from archive)
In August 2018 Campbell, aged 24 and now of Gilbert Avenue, St Ann’s, Nottingham, was jailed for nine months after being caught ransacking a convenience store he and accomplice Daniel Isaacs had burgled.
Police arrived on the scene to find the pair filling a large-style builder’s sack with cigarettes.
In court Campbell cited drug debts as the motivation for committing the burglary.
By this stage Campbell, who was described as a part-time mechanic, had 33 convictions for 73 offences on his record, ranging from house burglary to handling stolen goods.
In July 2021 Campbell appeared in court again charged with possession of a firearm. The charge followed the discovery of a makeshift gun factory in Marples Avenue, Mansfield Woodhouse, Nottinghamshire.
