CONVICTED (2023) | backyard breeder / wildlife persecutor Brian Birch, born 17 September 1993, of Ash Grove, Shirebrook, Mansfield NG20 8QA – kept 17 injured, flea- and worm-riddled dogs in filthy conditions and allowed multiple ferrets to starve to death.
Monstrous animal abuser Brian Birch from Shirebrook, Derbyshire, was allowed to keep one Jack Russell dog
In September 2022 officers from the Shirebrook Safer Neighbourhood Team were called to the home Birch shares with partner Kayleigh Iles, born 19 August 1994, who was also charged originally.
Despite living at the property where 17 neglected dogs had been callously mistreated, Birch’s partner Kayleigh Iles had the charges against her dropped
Officers found 17 dogs of various breeds living in filthy conditions, with faeces and urine covering the garden.
The animals were seized and taken to kennels.
They were found to be riddled with fleas, they had bleeding paws and were suffering with worms.
Police say as well as the dogs, they also seized two rabbits and two malnourished ferrets.
They found the bodies of between five and ten dead ferrets piled on top of one another in the ferret cage.
Fourteen of the dogs have been rehomed, but two had to be put down.
The two rabbits and two ferrets seized were taken by the RSPCA.
The court allowed him to keep one dog
Birch initially denied any wrongdoing.
He eventually pleaded guilty to failing to ensure the welfare of an animal, and causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.
No evidence was offered for the same charges against Iles and these were dropped at court.
Sentencing | 25-week prison sentence suspended for 24 months; ordered to pay £4,000 Banned from keeping animals for 15 years, except for an unfortunate Jack Russell who the court allowed him to keep.
CONVICTED (2023) | heroin street dealer Anthony Brown, born c. 1999, previously of London but now of Comyn Gardens, St Ann’s, Nottingham NG3 1NY – stole an XL Bully puppy to service a drug debt and threatened to stab a second dog.
Alex Wolfson, prosecuting, said the victim’s sister had amassed a drug debt, which Brown, previously of Red Lane, South Normanton, Derbyshire, claimed was around £5,000. . He said on April 24, 2022, she was at her home with five children and her door was unlocked.
The prosecutor said: “At one point, shortly after 7pm, the defendant opened the door and walked into the living room and she heard him say ‘Oi’. She immediately said back ‘What’s up’ and he replied that she needed to ring her sister.
“She said ‘Why what’s happened?’ and he was pacing around and took a lock knife out of his pocket and opened it to show her the blade. She said ‘no, not in here please there are kids let’s walk outside’ and the defendant said ‘I will stab everyone up in here’.”
Mr Wolfson said at that point the victim’s dog started to bark and Brown said “I am going to stab the dog up” and was still pacing around. He said: “He went to a dog cage in the corner of the room and asked her if it was her puppy and she said it was.
“He took the dog and left with it saying she could have it back when her sister had paid him the money she owed him. At that point, she locked the door and phoned her dad.”
Mr Wolfson said a short time later, the father was at home and tried to ring the daughter who owed the money but was unsuccessful in getting through to her. He said the father’s phone then rang with a number he did not recognise and he answered it.
The prosecutor said: “The voice on the end of the phone said ‘I am a black lad, I’m from London and she owes me £5,000 and where I come from if we don’t get payment we go to the next family members’.
“The dad said ‘you have got the dog it’s worth £2,000’ and the defendant replied ‘if we don’t get paid in a week I will kill the dog’.”
Brown pleaded guilty to blackmail, possession of a bladed article and possession of cannabis from when he was arrested.
His criminal record stretches back to when he was a juvenile and includes two previous offences for carrying weapons, theft and possession with intent to supply drugs.
Steve Cobley, mitigating, said his client had been moved by his family from London to the East Midlands in an attempt to steer him away from criminality.
He said: “The incident was short-lived but it was nasty. His mother is elsewhere but his father continues to support him and he uses drugs to numb the pain of his past experiences.”
Jailing Brown for four years, Judge Martin Hurst said: “She was understandably absolutely terrified, not just for herself but the children, because a strange man she did not know simply walked into her house. You noticed the puppy in the corner and took it hostage.
“You threatened to firebomb the house and kill the dog you had stolen. You moved from London to get away from this kind of trouble but what you have seemed to do is bring it with you to Derbyshire.”
It’s not been reported if the stolen dog was recovered.
CONVICTED (2022) | Peter Densley, born c. 1955, of 257 Alfreton Road, Blackwell, Alfreton DE55 5JN – kicked his pet dog in the head.
Peter Densley. Picture: Facebook.
Former British Army dog handler Densley was seen kicking the border collie, known as Meg, to the head when she ran off to play with children at a skatepark.
Witnesses heard the dog yelp in pain and lie on the ground after being kicked. Densley then picked her up by her fur and carried her away.
Video footage, which was widely shared on social media at the time of the offence on June 22, 2021, was played in court.
It showed Meg appear at the bottom of a skate ramp at Scanderlands Playing Fields, Blackwell, as giggling teens watched – with Densley walking across the nearby field towards the boys while shouting.
An RSPCA inspector who watched the footage said the kick to the young dog’s head, neck and shoulder area resembled the movements of a “footballer”.
After viewing the video, a vet said the force of the kick could have caused a “skull fracture” and a “bleed on the brain”.
The court heard Meg was “fascinated” by scooter wheels – something which Densley was trying to discourage with training.
Densely asked the teenagers to “stand still” and allow him to collect his pet, however when he had no response he “lost his temper and kicked the dog”.
Becky Allsop, prosecuting, told how as Densely appeared he was heard shouting “if you don’t stop I’ll kick your head in as well”.
She said: “He kicked the dog hard as if kicking a football and the dog made a sound as if in pain.”
The court heard an onlooker described hearing Densley say “I’ll have you next” to the youths.
Densley’s solicitor Katie Hempstock said her client – who owned five dogs – had spoken to the boys at the park “on a number of occasions”, asking them “not to “engage” with the dog.
She said: “The children carried on doing what Mr Densley has asked them not to do.
“He has lashed out in frustration – he knows it would have caused pain to Meg and nothing can make him feel worse about that than he himself.
“The video was published on the internet and has received some commentary from members of the public.”
Ms Hempstock added that no evidence has been found of any physical injuries to the dog and Densley’s own vet had provided a statement that his dogs were “loved and looked after”.
The solicitor said Densley’s wife had died of a brain tumour last year, adding: “I’m afraid to say it has had a significant impact upon him. When his wife passed away, that really cut him deeply.”
Densley admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.
Sentencing: 12-month community order with 140 hours of unpaid work; ordered to pay £1,837 to Derbyshire Police covering the costs of kenneling the dog after she was removed, plus £85 court costs and a £95 victim surcharge. Deprivation order on Meg. No mention of a disqualification order, however.
CONVICTED (2019) | Emma Bluff, born c. 1976, of Valley Cottages, Sherwood Street, Bolsover, Chesterfield S44 6JR – left her elderly dog to suffer for at least six months with a horrendous flea infestation
Bluff pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to 11-year-old Akita/Staffy cross Molly when she appeared at Chesterfield magistrates’ court.
RSPCA Inspector Mick Darling was sent to Bluff’s home after a tip off from the public and found the dog had lost half of her fur due to a severe flea infestation which a vet said had been left untreated for at least six months.
Molly was put to sleep following neglect by her owner, Emma Bluff of Chesterfield, Derbyshire
The vet found Molly was covered in fleas with inflammation all over her body, head, neck, muzzle, and legs which had led to numerous self-trauma injuries and infections.
The collar on Moly was so badly fouled by the fleas that the vet was unable to unclip it and it had to be cut off.
Due to her age, the flea infestation had caused Molly’s health to fail.
She was underweight, had an untreated growth at the bottom of her tail and she was struggling to stand on her back legs.
Her claws were long with the front dew calls almost sticking into her leg. She also had sore feet which had been caused by standing in urine.
Due to the severity of her condition, her suffering and the fact she had other health problems the vet decided the kindest thing to do was to put Molly to sleep.
Inspector Darling said: “Molly was in a terrible condition and was left like this for at least six months.
“Sadly this case goes to show how untreated skin conditions and allergies can lead to painful and horrendous suffering and other health issues – it is a pet owner’s duty to seek veterinary treatment.”
Sentencing: 16-week custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months; 80 hours of unpaid work; a total of £450 costs and charges. Banned from keeping animals for five years (expires September 2024).
CONVICTED (2019) | Simone Maughan, born 23 June 1992, previously of Westlea in Clowne and now of Scarsdale Street, Bolsover, Chesterfield S44 6JW – kept two starving dogs in a small cage and neglected a bearded dragon.
Mother-of-three Simone Maughan pleaded guilty to three animal welfare offences when she appeared at Chesterfield Magistrates’ Court.
The court heard how she had left Staffordshire Bull Terrier-type dogs Zena and Lola – mother and daughter – in a tiny cage in the kitchen of her house.
The RSPCA were alerted after a member of the public reported the starving pets.
Inspector Helen Mead arrived at the address and found the two emaciated dogs locked in the cage.
She also found a bearded dragon lizard in the living room with no light source or heat source, leaving the reptile close to death.
She immediately took the pets for emergency veterinary treatment and all have now recovered from their ordeal in RSPCA care.
Inspector Mead said: “I was really worried when I saw how frail the dogs were with all their bones protruding, they were in a very poor condition but were so friendly.
“Through normal feeding, they were able to return to their healthy body weight. But it could have been so different if this situation had been allowed to continue.
“There is no excuse not to provide the basics of food and water for pets so anyone who is struggling should ask for help at an early stage.”
In defence of Maughan, who now lives in Creswell, the court heard that she was suffering from depression at the time and was of previous good character.
Sentencing | 40 hours of unpaid work and eight-day rehabilitation order; £300 costs and a £150 victim surcharge. Banned from keeping animals for five years (expires September 2024).
CONVICTED (2017) | James Silvers, born c. 1996, formerly of Hickinwood Crescent, Clowne, Chesterfield S43 4AQ, and more recently living in the Glenside area of Kirkby-in-Ashfield – left his dogs locked in crates for several days while he went away
James Silvers pleaded guilty to two offences of failing to meet the needs of bull terriers Lola and Blue, whom he had kept locked in “prison cells” without food or water.
James Silvers’ dogs iived in ‘˜prison cell’ crates without food and water for four days while he went away
The RSPCA was alerted to the dogs by a concerned member of the public and an inspector went to the property in New Street, Pilsley, with the police.
Inspector Rachel Leafe said: “There were two crates, one on top of the other, with one dog in each. These weren’t big crates either – they were big enough for them to stand up, but that was all. There was no food or water in the crates, just empty bowls which were bone dry, and they just had rags sodden with urine to lie on. There was also faeces around the edges of the crates.
James Silvers with Blue. While Blue survived being abandoned by his owner for days without food or water he was put to sleep by Derbyshire Police after being found to be a banned breed
“It is horrific to think that they had to live in these conditions. It was as though both dogs were living in their own little prison cells.”
Lifelong loser James Silvers was only banned from keeping animals for five years.
After being rescued, both dogs were cared for by the RSPCA. Staffordshire bull terrier Lola was rehomed but Blue wasn’t so lucky. A police dog legislation officer identified him as a banned breed under Section 1 of the Dangerous Dogs Act and, as a result, he was put to sleep.
Inspector Leafe said: “This is a very sad ending as we were hoping to see Blue into a new home. The RSPCA do not make these decisions. We do not agree with Breed Specific Legislation and have been campaigning for changes for some time.”
Sentencing: nine-month community order; total of £205 fine and charges. Five-year ban on keeping animals (expired August 2022).
#MostEvil | James David Robert Hill, born 22/07/1993, and younger brother Thomas Elliott Hill, born 25/07/1994, originally from Bolsover, Chesterfield – punched and kicked a blind and deaf dog to death.
2020 police mugshots of Bolsover dog killers Thomas Hill (left) and his brother James Hill. The violent pair subjected an elderly deaf and blind dog to a terrifying ordeal, ending in his death from multiple injuries
In 2015 Bolsover brothers and violent career criminals Thomas and James Hill subjected elderly mongrel Tyson to a terrifying ordeal while they were high on the drug MCAT and drunk,
Magistrates heard James Hill used a poker to kill Tyson – after the dog was thrown across a room, and kicked and punched by the pair.
Prosecuting solicitor Rod Chapman said: “Thomas picked up Tyson and threw him across the room.
“As the dog was mid-air, James punched it. Witnesses said this was repeated a second time. James then kicked the dog.
“The witnesses said they were appalled but didn’t intervene because they feared the brothers would turn on them.”
Another criminal conviction, another police mugshot of Thomas Hill. This is from 2017 after Hill was convicted of damaging a vehicle he attempted to steal.
John Wilford, mitigating, said James Hill – who arrived at court almost two hours late – admitted using a poker to kill the animal. A vet’s report concluded the dog died because of blunt trauma to his head. He also suffered a broken jaw and a tooth was knocked out.
Remorseless: James Hill pictured outside court where he was convicted of a heinous animal cruelty offence
The brothers pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal after originally pleading not guilty.
James Hill – who at the time had 17 previous convictions – admitted criminal damage and arson and Thomas Hill – who had racked up seven previous convictions – also admitted arson.
The brothers showed no remorse as they were each sentenced to 23 weeks in prison.
In April 2020 James Hill, now homeless and “couch surfing”, was jailed for 66 weeks after attacking a mum-of-two who had offered him shelter. Hill also threatened the victim with a knife before fleeing her address with her mobile phone. The court heard that Hill’s “extensive” previous convictions included burglary, assault, assaulting a police officer, harassment and breaching court orders.
His lawyer told the court his client had a history of drug and alcohol abuse and while in custody has been diagnosed with ADHD “which he thinks played some part in the commission of this offence”.
Hill brothers attend a funeral, Tom Hill is handcuffed to a prison officer. Seen alongside them is Tom Hill’s girlfriend as of May 2022 Lily Robinson.
James Hill was already serving a suspended sentence imposed in September 2018 for assaulting a man. The report on that case said that Hill, whose address was given c/o The Lighthouse Project in Shirebrook, Mansfield, had “27 court appearances for 44 offences to his name”.
In June 2020, Thomas Hill was jailed for one year after forcing his way into a woman’s home and punching her in the face. At the time of the attack Hill, who was armed with a large knife, was living in Matlock, Derbyshire but the press gave his address as White Thorns View, Sheffield.
In November 2020 Thomas Hill, who according to the article now lives in Aston, Birmingham, was jailed for 15 months for a hit and run offence. Hill’s lawyer told the court his client had a life “dogged by problems” adding that he had “a quick temper [and] reacts badly and reacts without any thought of the consequences.”
Thomas Hill and Janet McGovern, the mother two of his children, are no longer together. She remains in Bolsover so he retains links to the area.
James Hill pictured in 2022James Hill with girlfriend (!) Chloe Ashin
In December 2021 James Hill, now of Long Lane, Shirebrook, was jailed for 14 days due to “flagrant disregard for court orders”. He was found guilty of failing to comply with supervision requirements following release from prison.
On 14 August 2022 Derbyshire Constabulary reported on Facebook that James Hill was charged with attempted murder after a teenage boy was stabbed in the neck, suffering “life-changing” injuries. Hill was also charged with:
• Threats to kill • False imprisonment • Possession of a knife in public. • Arson with intent to endanger life • Affray • Two counts of criminal damage • Four counts of common assault of an emergency worker
In December 2022 it was reported that Hill admitted to stabbing the youth before going on to damage both a house and a car – and then assaulting police officers.
The original charge of attempted murder was dropped in favour of a lesser charge of wounding with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm as an alternative.
As well as the wounding with intent charge, the defendant, of Dale Road, Matlock Bath, pleaded guilty to possession of an offensive weapon in public, affray, two counts of criminal damage and two counts of assault of an emergency worker, all relating to the same incident.
He pleaded not guilty to charges of attempted murder, two counts of false imprisonment, one of arson being reckless as to whether life was endangered, four other counts of assault of an emergency worker and a second count of affray, all of which the prosecution will not proceed with.
Hill was remanded in custody pending a sentencing date of early 2023.
