Tag Archives: Caerphilly

Dogs, Lifers, Pet Profiteering, puppy farmers / traffickers, kennels, backyard breeders

Fleur de Lis, Caerphilly: Colin and Ruth Williams

Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2024) | unlicensed backyard breeders Colin Williams, born c. 1977, and Ruth Williams ( née Ruth Sanders), born c. 1972, of Glanddu Road, Fleur de Lis, Blackwood NP12 3XT – for a catalogue of animal cruelty offences towards dogs and puppies they exploited for money.

Prosecution of prolific backyard breeders Colin Williams and Ruth Williams from Fleur de Lis, Blackwood, Caerphilly, Wales - for dog cruelty.

The couple were prosecuted followed an investigation by Caerphilly County Borough Council trading standards.

Together with officers from Gwent Police, a veterinary surgeon, and officials from neighbouring councils, a warrant was executed at the Williams’ home address in June 2023. The premises was suspected of being used for unlicensed dog breeding.

Prosecution of prolific backyard breeders Colin Williams and Ruth Williams from Fleur de Lis, Blackwood, Caerphilly, Wales - for dog cruelty.

Three French bulldogs, two British bulldogs and two cavalier King Charles spaniels were found severely confined in pens in one room with no access to water.

Prosecution of prolific backyard breeders Colin Williams and Ruth Williams from Fleur de Lis, Blackwood, Caerphilly, Wales - for dog cruelty.

One of the pens, which housed two other dogs was in an alcove under the stairs. The conditions provided insufficient space with the animals having no stimulation and unable to show normal behaviour.

Prosecution of prolific backyard breeders Colin Williams and Ruth Williams from Fleur de Lis, Blackwood, Caerphilly, Wales - for dog cruelty.

All nine dogs had conditions which caused them unnecessary suffering. The dogs were found to be suffering from skin, eye, ear and airway diseases.

The dogs were seized after being looked at by the vet and placed into the care of Hope Rescue. They have since been rehomed.

Prosecution of prolific backyard breeders Colin Williams and Ruth Williams from Fleur de Lis, Blackwood, Caerphilly, Wales - for dog cruelty.

Colin Williams, who used to run a business called Valley Ultrasound and Microchipping and now works as a window cleaner, admitted 17 charges under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, and one charge under Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 for not declaring he was a breeder when he advertised the dogs’ sale.

Prosecution of prolific backyard breeders Colin Williams and Ruth Williams from Fleur de Lis, Blackwood, Caerphilly, Wales - for dog cruelty.
Prosecution of prolific backyard breeders Colin Williams and Ruth Williams from Fleur de Lis, Blackwood, Caerphilly, Wales - for dog cruelty.

He also admitted a charge under the Welfare of Animals (Transport) (Wales) Order 2007 of the Animal Health Act 1981, for illegally taking two pregnant dogs to Heathrow Airport.

Ruth Williams admitted 15 cruelty charges under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and a charge under consumer protection law.

Prosecution of prolific backyard breeders Colin Williams and Ruth Williams from Fleur de Lis, Blackwood, Caerphilly, Wales - for dog cruelty.

Lyndsey Smith, rescue and adoption manager of Hope Rescue Centre, said: “Many of the dogs arrived with health issues so we were shocked to hear they were still being bred from.

“Amongst the group of dogs were a very nervous duo of cavalier bitches. They moved out to foster care together and developed such a lovely relationship – we just had to find them a home where they could stay together.”

Sentencing |
Colin Williams: jailed for four months. Indefinite ban.
Ruth Williams: eight-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months. 10-year ban.
£12,000 costs.

Caerphilly Observer
South Wales Argus

Dogs, Pet Profiteering, puppy farmers / traffickers, kennels, backyard breeders

Caerphilly, South Wales: Simon Hobbs

1 Comment

CONVICTED (2024) | backyard breeder Simon Hobbs, born 19 September 1977, of 23 Davies Drive, Caerphilly CF83 3RG – kept neglected and malnourished dogs in inhumane conditions.

Local authority prosecution of backyard breeder Simon Hobbs from Caerphilly, South Wales.

On 8 February 2024 Simon Hobbs pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to five dogs including a pregnant Belgian Malinois.

He was prosecuted following an investigation by Caerphilly Council’s Trading Standards team who executed a number of warrants, in June 2023.

Local authority prosecution of backyard breeder Simon Hobbs from Caerphilly, South Wales.

Trading Standards and Gwent Police officers accompanied by a vet carried out a search of Hobbs’ home and found six dogs in the kitchen with three of them – French bulldogs – housed in a very small cage.

Conditions in the kitchen were cramped, overcrowded and uncomfortable with little room to play, toilet and feed.

The dogs shared one food tray and two bowls of water.

Local authority prosecution of backyard breeder Simon Hobbs from Caerphilly, South Wales.

A pregnant Belgian Malinois was significantly underweight. She gave birth to eight puppies 10 days later.

An Akita was found in an outside lean-to wooden kennel in direct sunlight, with no soft bedding or enrichment. Temperatures recorded early in the day, exceeded 26 degrees, the maximum accepted temperature for dogs.

Local authority prosecution of backyard breeder Simon Hobbs from Caerphilly, South Wales.

Three dogs were found with conditions which caused them unnecessary suffering due to a lack of veterinary intervention and management.

The dogs were removed and placed into the care of Hope Rescue with the Malinois and her litter in need of intensive care to ensure their survival.

Local authority prosecution of backyard breeder Simon Hobbs from Caerphilly, South Wales.

Sara Rosser, Operations Manager of Hope Rescue Centre said, “We were pleased to be able to support the hard work of Caerphilly County Borough Council with this case. It was shocking to see so many dogs living in such awful conditions.

“The dogs needed vet treatment and specialist care – one of the dogs who especially touched and saddened us was the Malinois who we named Jinx.

Local authority prosecution of backyard breeder Simon Hobbs from Caerphilly, South Wales.

“As well as being in an awful condition, she was pregnant. We were very concerned that she would not have the strength to give birth and care for her litter but thanks for the hard work of the Hope Rescue Team, all eight puppies survived, and Jinx is now thriving.

“We are delighted that most of the dogs have already found loving new homes.’

Sentencing | ordered to pay £8,388.73 in fines, costs and a surcharge. He was disqualified from keeping all animals for five years (expires February 2029).

Wales247

Animal Sanctuaries from Hell, Birds, Lifers

Caerphilly, South Wales: Carol Gravenor

1 Comment

CONVICTED (2024) | Carol Ann Gravenor, born 2 May 1956, of Coed Main, Caerphilly CF83 1RS – allowed wild birds to suffer at her so-called sanctuary.

Bird rescuer Carol Gravenor kept multiple injured birds in filthy conditions
Bird rescuer Carol Gravenor kept multiple injured birds in filthy conditions

Gravenor, owner of Caerphilly Bird Rescue, pleaded guilty to six animal welfare offences after 26 wild birds were found in an unsuitable environment with their needs not being met. Many were in a suffering state.

The birds included pigeons, blackbirds, crows, jackdaws, a peregrine falcon and a common buzzard.

These birds were found with numerous ailments and injuries which had not been treated adequately, including fractured wings, damaged eyes and legs, and bumble foot condition.

The environment and bird cages were found to be unhygienic and hazardous and an RSPCA inspector found predator and prey species being kept in close proximity to one another.

A peregrine falcon with a missing eye was found in a filthy cage too small to spread its wings, the RSPCA said.

It had to be put down along with 20 others.

In a written statement heard by Newport Magistrates’ Court, RSPCA inspector Keith Hogben described unhygienic and hazardous conditions found during an inspection of the centre in April 2023.

The wild birds found included pigeons, blackbirds, crows, jackdaws, a peregrine falcon and a common buzzard.

Bird rescuer Carol Gravenor kept multiple injured birds in filthy conditions

Some were living in a kitchen inside the property, he said, while others were loose in the garden and some were caged in sheds, and 20 were found dead.

“There were many empty soiled bird cages piled on top of each other in the garden,” he said.

“In the back garden were several pigeons walking around that looked to have dropped wings along with some domestic ducks, a domestic goose and a chicken that was obviously lame.

“We were invited into the house and on the kitchen table were two fledgling blackbirds and a nestling pigeon.”

A cardboard box on a kitchen unit also held Jackdaw with an injured eye.

Mr Hogben said he found “a peregrine falcon bird with its left eye missing” in a shed.

“The environment was poor with no water and a filthy cage which was too small for the falcon to spread its wings in all directions.

“Within two feet [0.6m] of this cage containing the peregrine falcon was another cage containing eight pigeons.

“This cage was in full sight of the cage containing the peregrine falcon, and again had no water and the cage was in a filthy condition with hardly any perches.”

Bird rescuer Carol Gravenor kept multiple injured birds in filthy conditions
RSPCA inspectors found 20 dead birds at the centre

All the birds were sent for assessment by a wildlife veterinarian at the RSPCA West Hatch Wildlife Centre, where just five pigeons were deemed fit to be given the chance of rehabilitation.

Gravenor admitted failing to take steps to ensure the needs of the 26 birds were met as required – as well as five offences relating to causing unnecessary suffering to 17 birds (full wording below).

In mitigation, her solicitor said her intention was only ever to help birds and animals, and that she had tried her best, but they accepted the contents of expert veterinary reports as she was not an expert herself.

He confirmed his client had been “overwhelmed” and “swamped” by the situation.

Following sentencing inspector Hogben said: “Keeping and rehabilitating wild birds is a huge commitment requiring specialist knowledge, husbandry, equipment and accommodation.

“While most rescues and sanctuary owners start out with the best intentions, sadly, vulnerable animals entering these establishments can sometimes end up in even worse situations than they were in already, with sanctuary owners ending up in situations not realising the severity of the problems with their establishments until it is too late.

“In this case we appreciate the well-meaning intentions to help rescue and rehabilitate wild birds in need. However, it is always imperative to seek prompt veterinary care, including seeking advice on whether birds can be successfully rehabilitated, whilst also housing any birds in an appropriate and clean environment – and clearly the consequences of failing to do that here were serious for the birds involved.”

Sentencing | 14-week custodial, suspended for 12 month; ordered to pay £300 plus £154 victim surcharge. Lifetime ban on keeping animals.

Wales247
BBC News
Caerphilly Observer

Dogs, Hoarders, Pet Profiteering, puppy farmers / traffickers, kennels, backyard breeders

Fochriw, Caerphilly: Julie Pearce, Rosalie Pearce, Kaylie Adams

6 Comments

CONVICTED (2023) | puppy farmers Julie Pearce, born 20 February 1966, Rosalie Pearce, aka Rosalie Peters, born 29 March 1990, Kaylie Lisa Adams, born 2 August 1998, all of Glyn Terrace, Fochriw, Bargoed CF81 9JP – for illegal breeding and cruelty to dozens of dogs living in squalor.

L-R Rosalie Pearce aka Rosalie Peters, Kaylie Adams, Julie Pearce
L-R Rosalie Pearce aka Rosalie Peters, Kaylie Adams, Julie Pearce

The trio made £125,000 from running an illegal puppy breeding business from the family home. When the property was raided officers found dozens of dogs and pups living in rooms filthy with faeces and urine, and with little access to water, light or fresh air.

The family sold the puppies online on sites including Gumtree as being the offspring of much-loved family pets but the reality was very different.

The court heard many of the dogs in the house had dirty, matted fur and some were infested with fleas.

Officers found a number of puppy pens which were far too small for the number of pups being kept in them. The dogs were “desperate for attention and play” and were nervous around people, indicating a lack of socialisation.

In one of the bedrooms – which was described as being unventilated and with a “heavy fly infestation” – the officers found a dozen dogs several of which were small and underweight, while officers found another 23 dogs living in the dining room of the house without water.

In another room officers found a bitch suckling her litter – the room was described as being too cold for the pups, and there was no water for the mother.

While officers were searching the house Kaylie Adams and Rosalie Pearce returned home. When their phones were examined it became clear from text messages that they had been running an “extensive and unlicensed dog breeding” business breeding multiple litters of pups.

For much of the time Julie Pearce had been living in Puerto Rico, Gran Canaria while her daughters did the hands-on work in the house.

All three pleaded guilty to running an unlicensed dog breeding business, engaging in unfair commercial practices, causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, and failing to meet the welfare needs of animals.

The judge said any sentence other than a custodial one would be an “affront to the public” but they were sentences that need not be served immediately.

A Proceeds of Crime Act investigation will now be launched into the family’s finances.

The dogs rescued from the Fochriw puppy farm were placed with the Hope Rescue charity, and all have now been found permanent new homes.

Sentencing |
Rosalie Pearce: 56 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months; 100 hours of unpaid work.
Kaylie Adams: 56 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months; 100 hours of unpaid work; rehabilitation.
Julie Pearce: 42 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months.
They were banned from keeping animals for 10 years (expires July 2033).

Wales Online
The Sun

Additional Information

Rosalie Pearce is a model and performance artist. Her professional name is Rosalie Peters.

Puppy farmer Rosalie Pearce aka performance artist and model Rosalie Peters
Puppy farmer Rosalie Pearce aka performance artist and model Rosalie Peters
Dogs, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers, Worst of the Worst

Risca, Caerphilly: Jake Smith

5 Comments

CONVICTED (2023) | Jake Smith aka Jay Jones, born 30 December 1998, of 1 Gardd Y Meddyg, Risca, Newport NP11 6EU – subjected a French bulldog puppy to multiple brutal beatings, leading to his death.

Dog killer Jake Smith from Risca, Caerphilly, Wales. Image: Jake Smith | Facebook

Smith, who works as a kitchen/bedroom fitter, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a French bulldog puppy, known as Rio. Police officers found the dog dead after he had suffered multiple injuries including a fractured jaw, rib and leg as well as a collapsed lung.

Rio was found dead in a pool of blood in Jake Smith's flat. He had sustained traumatic injuries.
Rio, who was only a few months old, was found dead in a pool of blood after sustaining traumatic injuries.

Prosecuting for the RSPCA, Darren Bishop, told Newport Magistrates’ Court: “This investigation involves the alleged abuse of a French bulldog which was found deceased by police and discovered to have blunt force trauma injuries of a non-accidental nature.

“This dog had sustained significant blunt force trauma on at least four separate occasions – fractured left front leg, fractured jaw, blow to the top of the head, chest and injuries.

“The fourth episode of blunt force trauma resulted in the dog’s death via lung collapse.

“There had been prolonged or deliberate ill-treatment or neglect.”

Dog killer Jake Smith from Risca, Caerphilly, Wales. Image: Jake Smith | Facebook

The court heard police were called to Smith’s flat over concerns about his mental health and that he had said he was going to kill himself.

When officers went to the defendant’s address he wasn’t there and claimed he had left the dog in the bath until it had drowned.

“The defendant’s explanation is not consistent with the expert evidence,” Mr Bishop said.

Dog killer Jake Smith from Risca, Caerphilly, Wales. Image: Jake Smith | Facebook

A post-mortem examination carried out by Liverpool University’s pathology department revealed the extensive physical injuries Rio had suffered.

The offence was committed between August 1 and August 17, 2022.
The defendant had no previous convictions.

Dog killer Jake Smith from Risca, Caerphilly, Wales. Image: Jake Smith | Facebook

Ian George, representing Smith, said: “He pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.”

“The defendant had something of a troubled background and had a traumatic upbringing.

“He was in the midst of a mental health episode at the time and said he was going to kill himself.

“The defendant is not an essentially cruel person.

“Hindsight is a wonderful thing and he should have contacted the RSPCA for the dog to be rehoused.

“The defendant is traumatised at facing custody for being cruel to his dog.”

Sentencing | 16-week custodial suspended for 12 months; 25-day rehabilitation activity requirement; costs of £500 plus £154 surcharge. . Banned from keeping animals for 10 years (expires May 2033).

South Wales Argus

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

Bargoed, Caerphilly: Tristian Pearson

1 Comment

CONVICTED (2022) | Tristian Paul Pearson, born 2 April 1978, of 69 West Street, Bargoed CF81 8SA – poisoned two cats belonging to his neighbours.

Victims Bailey and Luna
Victims Bailey and Luna

Pearson admitted causing cats Luna and Bailey to take ethylene glycol, a substance which is highly poisonous to felines. The poisonings took place in early September 2021.

Vet statements supplied to the court confirmed the kidney tubules of both cats were consistent with ethylene glycol poisoning.

The cats belonged to a father and daughter who lived in two separate properties near Pearson’s West Street home.

Bailey’s owner reported that his cat, a Persian named Bailey, became unwell on 3 September, and appeared weak and wobbly. He was due to attend a vet but died before this took place.

On 7 September, Luna, a female domestic short hair, appeared very wobbly on her back legs. Her symptoms escalated, and vets found her to also have a high heart rate while her muscles were twitching. Sadly, vet tests confirmed Luna had kidney failure and she was put to sleep on humane grounds.

Following the deaths of their pets, the owners looked in the rear garden of their neighbour’s property and spotted two pots. One contained a bright blue liquid, and the other a food mix, including meat. These were retrieved, and passed to the RSPCA.

Some of the meat-type substance found in one of the pots was also found in the garden of Luna’s owner.

Tests later confirmed substances found in the pots contained a high concentration of ethylene glycol, one of which appeared to have been mixed with tuna fish.

An expert veterinary witness report concluded that it is “very highly likely that this was the source of ethylene glycol that caused the death of Luna and Bailey”.

The report said that the “effects of ethylene glycol poisoning cause a cat to suffer via the mechanism of dehydration with subsequent headaches, nausea, disorientation, weakness and collapse”.

Tubs containing the poison ethylene glycol which were found at the bottom of Pearson’s garden.
Tubs containing the poison ethylene glycol which were found at the bottom of Pearson’s garden.

Speaking after the hearing, RSPCA inspector Simon Evans, who investigated, said: “These poor cats were deliberately tempted into digesting a substance that is incredibly dangerous for cats and ultimately proved fatal to them both.

“One cat died before he could even be taken to the vets, while another had to be put to sleep to prevent suffering. Vets found clear evidence of the harm the ethylene glycol had done.

“The two dishes found in the defendant’s garden contained a high concentration of the dangerous substance – and he admitted in court that he caused them to consume it, causing them to suffer unnecessarily.

“We hope this shocking, landmark case sends a clear message to anyone thinking of targeting cats in this way – this is wrong, illegal and will not be tolerated.”

The case had originally been heard at Cwmbran Magistrates Court, where Pearson pleaded guilty – but was referred to Cardiff Crown Court for sentencing. The RSPCA believes this is the first such case to be referred in this way, following the coming into force of the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act 2021 last year; demonstrating the seriousness of the offence.

Sentencing | eight-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months; 150 hours of unpaid work; £2,000 in costs. Disqualified from keeping all animals for five years but may appeal after four years.

Wales247
ITV News

animal fighting / baiting, badger baiting, bird trapping, Birds, birds of prey / raptor persecution, Dogs, foxes, hunting with dogs, Organised Animal Crime, Serial Animal Abusers, Traveller Animal Crimes, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports, Worst of the Worst

New Tredegar, Caerphilly: Dewi Price

3 Comments

CONVICTED (2022) | so-called ‘terrier-man’ Dewi James Price, born 6 December 1981, of Commercial Street, New Tredegar, Caerphilly (now said to be no fixed abode) – killed a badger and kept a fox cub and red kite at his home.

Dewi James Price. Picture: Facebook.

Price, whose various Facebook profiles contain multiple disturbing images and videos showing wildlife being torn apart by dogs, had denied seven wildlife offences, including one occasion when he killed a badger in the Builth Wells area in Powys.

Dewi James Price. Picture: Facebook.

The other six offences related to May 2019 when in the Gelligaer area of Caerphilly county borough, Price twice disturbed a nesting red kite. On another occasion, he intentionally took a red kite and had the bird in his possession.

Price was found guilty of killing a badger in the Builth Wells area of Powys on February 18, 2018.

Wildlife killer Dewi Price with daughter

He was also found guilty of intentionally or recklessly disturbing a red kite while it was in, on or near a nest containing eggs or young and of intentionally or recklessly disturbing the dependent young of a red kite.

The RSPCA’s Special Operations Unit began investigating Price after pictures and videos on social media labelled “in Builth Wells” appeared to show a dead badger at the bottom of a digged area.

In June 2019, the RSPCA and police raided a property in Gelligaer where they found and seized the fox cub

The RSPCA said the cub had been kept in Price’s bedroom, and they had found food, water and faeces. Hunting DVDs were found including one called ‘Badger Diggers Dogs’.

Dewi James Price. Picture: Facebook.

A female black patterdale terrier type called Gypsy and a young female black patterdale with a white chest called Faith were found and seized.

Price’s mobile phone history showed searches for how to “train a red kite to hunt for you” and enquiries on finding kites.

Video footage from Price’s mobile phone from May 2019 showed him up a tree at a red kite’s nest where there were three live chicks and a parent red kite nearby. Another video on May 18, 2019 showed Price attempting to feed two chicks in the nest.

Dewi James Price. Picture: Facebook

Another showed Price giving the chicks food and picking the young birds up. There were three chicks seen in the nest.

On May 19 Price sent a video including footage seemingly of a man-made nest in a cupboard, and another video showed the chick being fed by Price in the man-made nest. Further footage showed the chick being stroked while a radio played loudly..

During the police search at the Gelligaer property, no red kite chicks were found and the fate of the chick is unknown.

Chief inspector Ian Briggs said: “We’d like to remind people that wild animals such as birds and badgers are protected by law and, working with partner organisations, we’re here to ensure that they are safe in their natural habitats.

“We would particularly like to thank the Gwent Police Rural Crime Team for their support and assistance with this case.”

Dewi James Price. Picture: Facebook.

Rosamund Rutter, for Price, said her client had a history of mental health difficulties including schizophrenia, and also issues around the misuse of alcohol and amphetamine. She said her client now realises he needs support and assistance in relation to his mental health and also now understands the importance of taking his medication.

Sentencing: six months in prison – comprising five months for the badger offence and one month for the red kite offences to run consecutively – suspended for 12 months. He must also complete a rehabilitation course. He was ordered to pay a £125 contribution to the £9,946 costs of bringing the prosecution as well as a £25 fine or a breach of suspended sentence order and victim surcharge of £128. The court ordered Faith and Gypsy be taken off Price, and the defendant was banned from keeping dogs for two years (expires February 2024). The judge said the period of the ban would likely have been “much longer” had the case come to court sooner.

Wales Online

Dogs, ear cropping and tail docking, Pet Profiteering, puppy farmers / traffickers, kennels, backyard breeders

Machen, Caerphilly: Jedd Wiegold

2 Comments

CONVICTED (2022) | unlicensed dog breeder Jedd Wiegold, born 27 February 1989, of 46 Keble Court, Machen, Caerphilly CF83 8TB – mutilated the ears of American bulldog puppies

Jedd Wiegold and one of the mutilated puppies.
Jedd Wiegold and one of the mutilated puppies.

Wiegold was prosecuted following an investigation by Caerphilly Council’s Trading Standards team after information regarding the breeding of dogs and ear cropping was received from Welsh police.

Evidence in the case showed that Wiegold had been breeding and selling American Bully puppies for at least two years under the name Wild Tri Bullys.

This puppy would later have her ears cropped by Wiegold.
This puppy would later have her ears cropped by Wiegold.

Between March 2019 and March 2020, Wiegold owned, bred and advertised in excess of three breeding bitches and litters.

The breeding of his dogs and puppies for sale were advertised on Facebook and Instagram.

The full extent of Wiegold’s earnings was not known but he advertised puppies for between £4,000 and £6,500 each and in some cases up to £10,000.

Wiegold with partner Clare Barry.
Wiegold with partner Clare Barry.

Evidence obtained from his mobile phone also showed that Wiegold was involved in arranging/causing mutilation by ear cropping of puppies. The evidence suggested the procedure itself was carried out by an unknown third party.

Cllr Nigel George, Caerphilly Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Protection commented, “Demand for fashionable breeds of puppies is always high, so it can be a very lucrative business. We are pleased with the outcome of the sentencing and we hope that it will serve as a warning to other criminals who are looking to take advantage of animals for financial profit.

“If anyone has any information on potential unlicensed breeders please contact our Trading Standards or Licensing teams.”

Dodgy breeder Wigold is disqualified from owning, keeping or transporting dogs until 2032.
Dodgy breeder Wigold is disqualified from owning, keeping or transporting dogs until 2032.

Wiegold received a custodial sentence at Newport Magistrates Court on 11 January 2022 for unlicensed dog breeding and a number of mutilation offences.

Sentencing: five months in jail for each of five separate offences, all to be served concurrently. Wiegold is already serving a 10-year prison term for drug trafficking. Disqualified from owning, keeping and transporting dogs for 10 years but can apply to have restrictions lifted after seven years.

Swansea Bay News

Animal Torture, hedgehogs, Other Mammals, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers, Worst of the Worst

Blackwood, Caerphilly: Richard Coyle

2 Comments

#MostEvil | Richard Coyle, born 13 July 1966, from Blackwood, Caerphilly – tortured and mutilated a live hedgehog

Richard Coyle police mugshot

Sadistic Coyle tortured and butchered a harmless hedgehog on a camping trip. He removed the animal’s legs and covered her head and eyes with molten wax.

Police found the animal still alive in a tent belonging to Coyle in Blackwood, Caerphilly county, in August 2019. Scissors, candles, a jump lead and a kitchen knife were also discovered.

Coyle, who has a previous conviction for manslaughter, told police ‘It’s only a f****** hedgehog. It’s got fleas’ when he was questioned over the incident.

PC James Goodman described the horrific scene inside the tent in the early hours of August 27, 2019.

He said: ‘I could smell burning flesh, burning hair, death. The hedgehog was mutilated. The smell was horrendous.’

The hedgehog was taken to a veterinary centre where she was put to sleep.

Richard Coyle social media image

Coyle faced two charges. The first, under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, was causing unnecessary suffering to a hedgehog by cutting its legs and burning the animal and covering its head with molten wax.

The second, under the Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996, was mutilating and burning the hedgehog.

Former soldier Coyle claimed he has PTSD for serving in Bosnia and Northern Ireland. He denied the charges but was found guilty.

An RSPCA inspector said it was one of the worst animal cruelty cases he had ever seen.

He was sentenced to the maximum term of 26 weeks which is available to a magistrates’ court to impose.

RSPCA inspector Simon Evans said: “It is just beyond belief that someone could do this to a defenceless creature and cause so much suffering. To think that this hedgehog was alive through this ordeal is just horrifying.

“This case is certainly one of the worst examples of animal cruelty I’ve ever seen.”

Sentencing: 26 weeks in jail. Banned from keeping animals for 10 years.

Daily Mail
BBC News
South Wales Argus

Update | June 2023

Coyle was sentenced to 18 months in prison after being caught torturing another hedgehog. The tiny creature was found badly mutilated and covered in blood and a creamy white liquid. A new banning order of 20 years was imposed on Coyle.

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

Cefn Hengoed, Caerphilly: Ieuan Batten

Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2020) | Ieuan Batten, born 23 October 1996, of Forest Avenue, Cefn Hengoed, near Ystrad Mynach CF82 – beat up his mother after she intervened to stop his savage attack on a dog.

Police mugshot of volent dog abuser and woman beater Ieuan Batten from Cefn Hengoed in Caerphilly, Wales, who has numerous previous convictions for violence.
At just 23 years of age Ieuan Batten, who goes by the nickname Skins Citroen, has racked up 20 convictions for 49 offences. These included previous assaults on his own mother.

Prosecutor Leah Pollard told the court that 23-year-old Batten had a history of violence against his mother, with previous assault convictions recorded against him.

She said this latest attack happened just before Christmas 2019 when Batten came home “under the influence and in an aggressive mood”.

Judge Daniel Williams was told of how Batten’s mother and two women, one of whom was pregnant with his child, were in her house when he went “completely mad”.

volent dog abuser and woman beater Ieuan Batten from Cefn Hengoed in Caerphilly, Wales, who has numerous previous convictions for violence.

After two dogs began fighting, he took one of them into the kitchen and repeatedly punched and kicked him.

Batten’s mother covered the animal to protect him before her son turned his attention to her.

Miss Pollard said: “He was in a complete rage. He grabbed her by the hair and dragged her into the living room.

“He started punching her and stamping on her all over her body.”

One of the women told police: “It lasted for about half an hour. I have never seen such violence in my life and I was shocked – especially when it was carried out by someone against their own mother.”

The victim was taken to hospital with her face “totally swollen and black and her body covered in bruises”.

Batten pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.

The court was told he had 20 previous convictions for 49 offences.

Nik Strobl, mitigating, said: “The defendant wishes to express his remorse and he can’t believe what he has done to his own mother.

“He has little recollection of what happened.”

Judge Williams told Batten, who was high on alcohol and drugs during the attack, that: “This was a savage assault. You used dreadful violence.”

Sentencing: jailed for two years and given a five-year restraining order preventing him from contacting his mother. He must pay a victim surcharge upon his release from custody. He was not banned from keeping animals.

South Wales Argus

Update March 2022

IEUAN BATTEN, now of Holly Road, Ty Sign, Risca, Newport, was jailed for 25 weeks after he admitted two counts of assaulting a police officer at the Grange University Hospital, Cwmbran, the criminal damage of a BMW car at the Masons Arms, Pontymister, and failing to surrender.

He was ordered to pay £400 in compensation following his release from prison.

South Wales Argus