Tag Archives: Barrow-in-Furness

Dogs, Domestic Violence - Animals Targeted, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers

Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria: Ben Davies

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CONVICTED (2021) | Benjamin Davies, born 12 March 1995, of Robert Street, Barrow LA14 – choked his pet dog.

Dog abuser Ben Davies. Pictures: Facebook.
Dog abuser Ben Davies. Pictures: Facebook.

Davies caused unnecessary suffering to the unnamed dog by choking her as well as assaulting a woman in Barrow.

He admitted to both offences, which took place on September 12, 2021.

The court heard Davies was responsible for a dog and ‘committed an act that caused that animal to suffer and permitted that to happen or failed to take such steps as were reasonable in all the circumstances to prevent that happening, and that suffering was unnecessary’.

No injuries to the dog were highlighted in court but it was said she has since been rehomed.

Anita Green, of Animal Refuge Furness, said: “Actions like this are to be condemned as is violence against all animals and humans.

“As a charity we do all we can to make sure that animals go to the right homes to avoid any situations like this one.

“If there is any concern about animal abuse then people need to contact the authorities such as the RSPCA or the police.

“We do not have any authority in terms of taking animals away but if we do get contacted then we will of course help where we can by contacting the right people.

“Offences like this are awful and really upsetting.”

Sentencing: 150 hours of unpaid work; 25 days of rehabilitation activity. Three-year disqualification order (expires December 2024).

The Mail

Dogs, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers

Barrow-In-Furness, Cumbria: David Sandham

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CONVICTED (2019) | David Paul Sandham, born 30 July 1998, of Egerton, Court, Barrow-in-Furness LA14 2TX – kicked his pet dog in the head.

Animal abuser David Sandham from Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria. Image: Facebook
Facebook | David Sandham

Thuggish Sandham, who has previous convictions for shoplifting and assault on a female, was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to a Staffie called Clay on February 23, 2019.

Clay was kicked in the head by his owner, Dave Sandham of Barrow in Furness, Cumbria, UK
Staffie Clay was kicked in the head by his thug owner, who also has a conviction for assaulting a woman

Magistrates ruled an order to seize Clay and ban Sandham from keeping pets was disproportionate as the attack was ‘a single kick as the dog had latched onto a car tyre’.

Sentencing: four-week curfew; ordered to pay a total of £465. Not banned from keeping animals.

The Mail

Animal Abandonment, Cats, Hoarders, Lifers, Serial Animal Abusers, Worst of the Worst

Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria: Damien Beales and Robert High

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CONVICTED (2019) | Robert Jason High, born 20 December 1996, and Damien Robert Beales, born 16 April 1998, James Street, Barrow-in-Furness LA14 1EH – neglected and starved a large number of cats; desperate animals resorted to cannibalism.

Cat killers Robbie High and Damien Beales formerly of Liverpool and now of Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria.
Robert High (left) and Damien Beales are now living in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria

Robert High and his partner Damien Beales left cats to starve at a property in Northgate Road, Stoneycroft, Liverpool L13

RSPCA officers discovered starving cats eating the decomposing remains of others when they visited the house on 25 April 2019.

Inside the disgusting home of Robert High and Damien Beales where starving cats ate each other to survive
Inside the disgusting home of Robert High and Damien Beales where starving cats ate each other to survive

They found up to ten cats who were so desperate and hungry that they had shockingly resorted to cannibalism.

Inside the disgusting home of Robert High and Damien Beales where starving cats ate each other to survive

Five dead cats were in the process of being eaten.

The grim remains were discovered by the property’s landlord who was so disturbed that he contacted the police who next alerted the RSPCA.

Cat killers Robbie High and Damien Beales formerly of Liverpool and now of Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria.

Beales and High both pleaded guilty to one charge of cruelty.

The prosecution has been previously adjourned after both men, Beales and High repeatedly failed to turn up.

Sentencing: 16-week prison sentence suspended for 12 months. Each ordered to pay £500 costs and a £115 victim surcharge. Banned from keeping animals for life.

Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo

Additional information:

High and Beales move around frequently. They only lived in Stoneycroft for five months. Prior to living there, they lived in Kirkdale, Liverpool. Neighbours of the Kirkdale property allege they overheard the couple accusing each other of raping cats.

High is said to have serious mental health issues, including self-harming. He had a now defunct YouTube channel called My Borderline Life on which he discussed his borderline personality disorder and also ‘sang’.

Update | August 2023

Current address:
127 Chestnut Avenue
BLYTH
NE24 1PJ


Dogs, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers

Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria: John Sawrey

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CONVICTED (2017) | John Sawrey, born 25 September 1979, of Goldsmith Street, Barrow-in-Furness LA14 5RJ – struck a dog, before slamming her on the pavement and hitting her again

Sawrey was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to Staffordshire bull terrier, Storm, after being spotted mistreating her by witnesses .

Some witnesses said the dog yelped as Sawrey hit and slammed her onto the ground.

Sawrey denied the offence and told the court he was trying to calm and control Storm when she became excited and was jumping up after seeing children running.

Prosecutor, Mr Lee Dacre, said four independent witnesses reported what they saw to the police.

Kelsey Leyland was on the opposite side of the street with her partner, friend and dog. Miss Leyland told the court she saw Sawrey hit Storm in the face and informed the people she was with.

She said: “He picked the dog up from the back of the neck, he put it to the floor with force and hit it in the face. The dog yelped.” Her friend approached Sawrey and the defendant had said Storm was being playful.

Miss Leyland’s partner, Gadge Gelling, told the hearing: “Kelsey said ‘oh my God, that man has just hit his dog’.

“When I looked over he has the dog in the air and he aggressively puts it down. He then hit the top end of the dog.”

Defence solicitor, Miss Karen Templeton, questioned whether the witnesses were mistaken by the movements as it was dark. Miss Leyland and Mr Gelling said they agreed Storm could have been picked up by her harness, as Sawrey suggested, rather than the scruff of her neck.

Mr Gelling phoned 999 and the group followed Sawrey home after the incident.

The court heard Sawrey was a man of good character who had no previous cautions or convictions. He said he walks Storm twice a day.

The defendant told the court: “She is very playful, excitable and quite strong. The children ran past, Storm started trying to jump up. I was trying to keep her close to me in case she landed on one of them.

“I was telling her to calm down and telling her no. I grabbed her harness and put her down to the side of me. I put her down gently and she rolled on the floor.”

Mr Dacre suggested Sawrey had lost his temper, but Sawrey said: “No, it is incorrect.”

Miss Templeton said there were discrepancies with the witnesses and room for people to have been mistaken. The court heard that police examined Storm after the incident and she had no injuries and no fear of Sawrey. The experts said they were happy for Sawrey to keep Storm.

A vet report said Storm was well cared for, vaccinated, wormed and had no fear of her owner.

Sentencing: 100 hours unpaid work in the community; a total of £705 costs and charges. No ban on keeping animals.

The Mail

animal fighting / baiting, Cats, Dogs, hunting with dogs, Organised Animal Crime, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports

Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria: Sam Simmonite

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CONVICTED (2017) | Sam Simmonite, born c. 1976, of 8F Egerton Court, Barrow-in-Furness LA14 2TU – allowed his dog to launch a fatal attack on a cat.

Cat killer Sam Simmonite from Barrow in Furness, Cumbria

Wildlife persecutor Simmonite was convicted of causing unnecessary suffering after failing to control his dog, a black lurcher named Stan, and allowing him to maul a ginger cat known as O’Malley.

The incident took place at around midnight on December 6, 2016, in Steamer Street, Barrow.

O'Malley was mauled to death after evil Sam Simmonite since his 'trained killer' dog on him
Victim O’Malley

RSPCA inspector Chris Towler said: “This case was not only a sickening act that caused suffering to O’Malley, but also caused significant distress to O’Malley’s owner, Sammi Thompson, who found out about what happened to her much-loved pet via social media.

“O’Malley not only suffered during the attack but for some time after – we know that he managed to get from the top of a recycling bin where he was left injured to a nearby building site where he was discovered dead the following day.

“I hope that the sentence handed out to Simmonite serves as a reminder that society will not tolerate such blatant acts of cruelty, and will serve as a deterrent to those who choose to use their dogs in this manner.

Cat killer Sam Simmonite from Barrow in Furness, Cumbria

Michael Graham, defending, pleaded with the bench not to impose the ban.

He said: “There is no suggestion that he ill-treated or under-fed his dog, or that it was a risk to the public. This was an isolated incident.

“He has anxiety and depression and he had an anxiety attack on the way to court on Tuesday when he had to turn around and go home.

“He has owned a dog all through his adult years and it has a great therapeutic quality for him and he does not want to be without that.”

Simmonite interrupted the magistrates’ sentencing to launch into a verbal tirade of abuse.

The foul-mouthed, expletive-ridden rant included Simmonite calling the bench chairman, Chris Harris, “four-eyes”, before shouting: “You’ll never stop me owning dogs.”

Sentencing: 20 weeks’ imprisonment for the animal cruelty offence, as well as an additional two-week custodial sentence for failing to surrender to bail at the appointed time. Total of £1,023.40 costs and charges. Banned from owning any animal for a minimum of five years.

The Mail

Dogs, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers, Worst of the Worst

Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria: John Hall

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CONVICTED (2017) | John Alexander Hall, born c. 1997, of Low White Close, Barrow-in-Furness LA14 4AW – struck a tiny dog on the neck, killing him

Dog killer John Hall from Barrow in Furness, Cumbria, UK. Also pictured is his victim Oscar
Evil brute John Hall killed the tiny dog pictured after hitting him with force

Hall admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a Yorkshire terrier cross, called Oscar.

RSPCA prosecutor, Mr Steven Marsh, told the court that the then 19-year-old had been walking Oscar for his owner and he hit the dog with such force that he fatally injured the dog.

John Hall

The Barrow court heard that the blunt force trauma caused by Hall had fractured Oscar’s vertebrae and the animal, belonging to an ex partner of Hall’s, had died from his injury.

The incident happened in Barrow on November 15, 2016 and the RSPCA brought the prosecution to court.

The court hearing was told that Hall suffers from clinical depression.

Defence solicitor, Mr Trystan Roberts, said that Hall is remorseful for his actions and he had pleaded guilty to the offence at the first opportunity. The defendant also had no previous convictions.

Sentencing:
16-week prison term, suspended for 12 months. 12-week curfew; total of £415 costs and charges. Disqualified for five years from keeping animals (expired March 2022).

The Mail 13/03/2017
The Mail 14/03/2017

Animal Abandonment, Dogs, Worst of the Worst

Dalton-in-Furness, Cumbria: Michelle Brown

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CONVICTED (2016) | Michelle Brown, born 19/09/1977, previously of Wellington Street, Dalton-in-Furness and as at March 2020 of Lancaster Street, Barrow-in-Furness LA14 5HX – abandoned four dogs, leaving them living in squalor.

Police and Barrow Borough Council raided Michelle Brown’s previous house in Thornton Park, Dalton, after concerned neighbours raised the alarm about the distressed animals on December 28, 2015.

Four dachshund-type dogs – Vince, Bo, Floyd and Tia – were rescued by the authorities and checked over by a vet and found to be dehydrated and underweight.

Brown was found guilty in her absence after she failed to turn up at court, but appeared for sentencing.

Michelle Brown from Dalton-in-Furness, Cumbria, UK, abandoned four dachshund-type dogs in squalor.

RSPCA prosecutor Mr Steven Marsh said Brown had been warned about the welfare of the animals several times since 2014 by their inspector Will Lamping.

He told the hearing: “Neighbours became increasingly concerned about the animals as they were licking condensation off the windows. They looked skinny and in distress. Initially the dogs were barking but that got quieter and quieter.

“When police went in they were hit with the overwhelming smell of faeces. There was faeces all over the floor and furniture which was getting mouldy. There wasn’t one clean area in the house for the dogs to sleep and rest without touching faeces. there was an empty bag of dry dog food in the bathroom and empty water bowls. They had drank the water out of the toilet.

“On a scale, three of them were level three of nine and the other, four of nine. One was emaciated.

Mr Trystan Roberts, defending, said: “Miss Brown is extremely distressed at the condition the dogs were found in. Sadly the last two years of her life things have spiralled out of control.

“She was in a relationship and had two grown-up children living at home and she became ill and had anxiety and depression.

“Her life became chaotic and she was having issues with her neighbours and moved to live with her parents. She didn’t like going back to the house because of the memories but would go there at night and give them water and food.”

Mr Lamping said: “I’m pleased she has been disqualified from keeping animals. These dogs were neglected over a long period of time and she shouldn’t be allowed animals in her care.

“She had many opportunities to work with us but refused.

“I would like to thank the neighbours who contacted us.”

Sentencing: 12-week curfew; costs and charges totalling £560. Banned from keeping animals for eight years (expires June 2024).

The Mail

animal fighting / baiting, Cats, Dogs, farms / smallholdings, Food Production, hunting with dogs, Organised Animal Crime, Serial Animal Abusers, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports, Worst of the Worst

Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria: Andrew Fenton and Dean Quirk

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CONVICTED (2015) | serial wildlife criminals Andrew Fenton, born 8 March 1985, of Westway, Barrow-in-Furness LA13 0DY, and Dean Quirk (aka Dean Powell), born 17 October 1988, of Sikemeadow, Barrow-in-Furness LA14 4DZ

Andrew Fenton (left) and Dean Quirk

Fenton and Quirk are responsible for the cruel dog-baiting of dozens of rabbits, hares and foxes and possibly also badgers and deer.

On New Year’s Day 2014 the sadistic pair went one step further when they goaded their three dogs into attacking a sheep as she lay helpless on the ground.

Vile Fenton was also convicted of a separate charge in relation to a cat that was torn apart by his dogs while he watched and shouted out encouragement.

Animal abuser: Andrew Fenton from Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria

The pair filmed both incidents, presumably to share with their equally ghoulish circle of redneck friends – some of whom were present during the sheep attack but have never been brought to justice.

This video evidence was seized by police and the RSPCA and produced in court.

Quirk

Both men were represented in court by idiotic but imaginative defence solicitor Karen Templeton of Forresters who portrayed each of them as remorseful, “traumatised” and even “embarrassed” about their actions. Fenton, she said, was a hard-working, single father, while Quirk was a man of good character who loved dogs and had organised four dog shows.

Sentencing | In May 2015 Quirk was sent to prison for 12 weeks for the attack on the sheep. He was banned from keeping animals for 10 years (expires May 2025). Fenton was jailed for 26 weeks in November 2014. He was given a 20-year ban.

Daily Mail
Westmorland Gazette

Animal Abandonment, Cats, Serial Animal Abusers, Worst of the Worst

Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria: Stacey Dick

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CONVICTED (2015) | Stacey Louise Dick, born c. 1992, who also uses the names Louise Greer and Stacey Simcox, of Egerton Court, Barrow-in-Furness LA14 – left her four pet cats to die after moving out of her flat; has breached ban on keeping animals twice

Cat killer Stacey Louise Dick from Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria
Stacey Louise Dick, also known as Louise Greer, abandoned four cats to starve to death and as at January 2019 has breached her 15-year ban on keeping animals twice.

In April 2015 Dick was banned from owning pets for 15 years after she left her four pet cats to starve to death in an abandoned property.

The animals all died from multiple organ failure after going without food, and investigators found their lifeless bodies ridden with maggots and fleas.

The neglect occurred between June and September 2014.

RSPCA investigators did not find any food or water in the house, with vets later confirming that none of the cats had been fed for a significant amount of time.

Dick admitted abandoning them when she moved home and claimed that she visited occasionally to feed them.

The court heard how after discovering three of the four cats had died during one visit, Dick left their decaying bodies and the one surviving animal.

Cat killer Stacey Louise Dick from Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria

She was banned from owning pets for 15 years after allowing pets Rosie, Mojo, Daisy and Cheryl to perish in her home.

Speaking at the time, RSPCA prosecutor Steven Marsh explained how the animals were decomposing, with some missing eyes and riddled with fleas and maggots.

Dick was back before the courts in July 2018 after she was found living at a house in Cameron Street with five dogs.

She argued she had not understood the conditions of the ban and was handed a 12 month community order and tasked with completing 50 hours of unpaid work.

In January 2019 Dick was jailed for just eight weeks after pleading guilty to breaching the ban for a second time.

Original sentence for starving the cats: 18 weeks in jail. Banned from keeping any animal for 15 years (expires April 2030).

Mirror 15/04/2015

Additional information

Alternative FB: https://www.facebook.com/louise.greer.9022

Dogs, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers, Worst of the Worst

Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria: Liam Backhouse

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CONVICTED (2014) | Liam Backhouse, born 19/06/1990, formerly of Rising Side, Barrow-in-Furness and more recently (2019) of Cloudstock Grove, Little Hulton, Manchester M38 0DU – caught on video throwing and kicking a Staffy puppy and trapping his head in a door

Dog abuser Liam Backhouse from Barrow and his victim Dylan
Liam Backhouse from Barrow, Cumbria, subjected two-month-old puppy Dylan to a brutal attack lasting an hour but is only banned from keeping animals for seven years

The court was shown a video, taken by Liam Backhouse’s neighbour on November 19. 2013, which showed him throwing the puppy around the garden of his home, trapping his head in the back door and repeatedly kicking him.

He then hurled the two-month-old Staffordshire bull terrier against a concrete step with such force that the tiny animal ‘bounced’ off the hard surface.

The neighbour had heard the dog yelping in distress at around 10.35am and began to film the incident before calling the police.

Steve Marsh, prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, said: ‘During one incident he called the puppy three or four times to come inside but the dog wouldn’t move.

‘He walked over, picked it up and threw it through the air towards the door.

‘He tempted the puppy inside and then shouted at it for being there.’

Dog abuser Liam Backhouse pictured outside court
Dog abuser Liam Backhouse pictured outside court

Mr Marsh told the court how Backhouse had thrown the puppy at a concrete step with such force the animal was seen to bounce off it. He also poured a bottle of water over the dog, causing the animal to run away.

Following the attack, which lasted almost an hour, the puppy – originally named Titan but later renamed Dudley – was left badly shaken and bruised.

He was rushed to see a vet but fortunately recovered from the incident and was adopted by an RSPCA inspector.

Speaking about the case RSPCA inspector Will Lamping said: ‘The police arrived moments before I did and one of the officers had the puppy, who was shaking wildly, in their arms.

‘The footage is shocking to watch. The puppy tries to get away from Backhouse but he keeps picking him up roughly and throwing him to the ground.

‘At one point he traps the puppy’s head in the back door and repeatedly closes the door on him. The dog keeps crying out, it’s very distressing.’

Karen Templeton, mitigating, said Backhouse suffers from severe depression and ‘hated himself’ for what he had done.

Sentence: jailed for 80 days and banned from keeping animals for just seven years (expired March 2021).

Metro
Daily Mail