Tag Archives: Chesterfield

Cats, Equine Abuse, Hoarders, horses and ponies, Multiple Species, Serial Animal Abusers

Chesterfield, Derbyshire: Judy Shaw and Peter Hardy

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CONVICTED (2021) | Judy Shaw, born 17 October 1972, and long-term partner Peter Hardy, born 7 August 1962, of 6 Dorset Close, Brimington, Chesterfield S43 1DW – kept horses and cats in appalling conditions

Judy Shaw and Peter Hardy

During an RSPCA raid in July 2019 31 cats in the care of Judy Shaw and Peter Hardy were found in an “oppressive and wholly unhealthy environment” – in a locked static caravan, two lorries and a small shed.

Horses at the same Unstone paddocks where the cats were kept were found emaciated, infested with lice and with overgrown and deformed hooves.

District Judge Andrew Davison told the court Shaw “remained in denial as to her competence and capability to look after animals properly – particularly the numbers she was looking after”.

He said: “She buried her head in the sand for quite some time despite the fact she was not capable of properly caring safely for these animals.

“Hence the dreadful condition of some of these animals and their environment – this is sadly not the first time such a finding has been made against Ms Shaw.”

Shaw’s appearance this week came after she was found guilty in 2018 of causing unnecessary suffering in respect of two other horses.

Defence lawyer Christopher Moran – acting for Shaw – told the judge on Tuesday how she was unable to care for the animals properly due to mental, physical and financial problems.

Steven Higgins, acting for her long-term partner Hardy, 68, said he had been “carried along by Ms Shaw’s desire to have animals”.

He added: “It’s very likely he would not have animals were it not for Ms Shaw’s love of animals.”

During a previous hearing the court was told how in 2019 RSPCA inspectors found a horse – described as “very thin” – lice-infested with dirty skin and coat and mobility issues “because of the state of its hooves”.

Another was discovered with part of its hoof “unprofessionally” removed – not by a farrier but by Shaw herself while another animal – discovered with “visible spine” – was “dull in its responsiveness”.

Twenty-two horses were found in poor state however a veterinary expert told the judge during a December trial how 31 cats and kittens found at the property were kept in “nauseating” conditions.

Judge Davison told the court how the flea-infested felines – some found with “watery eyes” and “breathing difficulties” – were kept in “extremely” hot “greenhouse” conditions in the caravan.

Prosecuting barrister Harry Bowyer told the court on Tuesday this week how during a further raid in September last year while the pair awaited trial seven more cats were found in their static caravan.

One of the felines was dead and another had fighting injuries.

Shaw was found guilty of 10 Animal Welfare Act charges.

Hardy was convicted of 11.

Sentencing: Shaw and Hardy were fined £1,200 each and put under a 24-week 7pm-7am curfew. Both were made subject of a 12-month community order while Hardy was ordered to undertake 120 hours’ unpaid work. Banned from keeping animals for 10 years.

Derbyshire Times

Animal Abandonment, Dogs

Chesterfield, Derbyshire: James Drury

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CONVICTED (2019) | James Drury, born 31 July 1994 of Coniston Way, Chesterfield S41 8JF – for allowing his pet dog to starve almost to death

James Drury

Nine-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier Dibbley was said to be just one day from death when he was discovered in a bedroom in James Drury’s stinking property. The dog was so thin that every bone in his body was visible through his fur.

Dibbley was one day from death after being starved by James Drury, from Chesterfield, UK
Dibbley was one day from death after being starved by James Drury, from Chesterfield, UK

The RSPCA attended the property after being alerted by police concerned for the dog’s welfare.

As RSPCA Inspector Dave McAdam entered the property he was confronted with the smell of faeces and urine.

In the bedroom of the property, he found Dibbley in a severely emaciated state. Inspector McAdam said: This was amongst the most emaciated dogs I have ever seen that was still alive.

“The dog was so weak he had trouble walking due to the loss of muscle mass, with experience of nearly thirty years as an RSPCA inspector I knew this dog was close to death.

“There was again a large amount of faeces on the bedroom floor where the dog was being kept. Within the bedroom I did see a small amount of water in a steel bowl provided for the dog, but no food.”

Dibbley was one day from death after being starved by James Drury, from Chesterfield, UK

Inspector McAdam had to carry the dog, estimated to be around nine years old, from the property and took him to a vet for treatment.

In a witness statement the vet who assessed Dibbley described him as “a walking skeleton”.

He said: “Every major bone in this dog’s body was clearly prominent and evident, he was literally a walking skeleton. This was amongst the worst cases of emaciation I have ever seen, this dog was no more than a day or so away from death. “

At the time of his rescue Dibbley weighed 8.9kgs but was put on a specialist diet and within six weeks he weighed 20.35 kgs.

Animal abuser James Drury of Chesterfield, UK

In mitigation the court was told that Drury was suffering from stress at the time and financial hardship.

Dibbley is currently in RSPCA care and he will be re-homed soon.

Sentencing: 18-month community order with 19-day “thinking skills” programme and a 12-day rehabilitation requirement. Ordered to pay a total of £685 fine, costs and charges. Banned from keeping animals for 10 years (expires November 2029).

Derbyshire Times
Staffordshire Live

Dogs, Multiple Species, Reptiles / Exotics, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers

Chesterfield, Derbyshire: Aidan Spencer

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CONVICTED (2019) | Aidan Peter Spencer, born 14/05/1997, of Langhurst Court, Wenlock Close, Loundsley Green, Chesterfield S40 4PE – for the aggressive mishandling of a dog and keeping a snake in poor conditions.

Spencer pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a dog by manhandling the dog and being aggressive towards her. No separate penalty.

He also pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a snake by keeping it in poor and inappropriate conditions.

Sentencing: Committed to prison for 12 weeks suspended for 12 months with an Alcohol Treatment Requirement, a Thinking Skills Programme and a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement. Must pay £328.83 compensation, a £115 victim surcharge and £85 costs. Disqualified from owning or keeping animals for seven years.

Source: Derbyshire Times (article removed).

Updates

In March 2020 Spencer was back in court for threatening behaviour during a row with his girlfriend. Magistrates extended Spencer’s existing community order by six months and his alcohol treatment programme by three months. He was also fined £120, and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £30 victim surcharge.

In February 2022 Spencer was jailed for four-and-a-half years after pleading guilty to wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. Spencer’s latest conviction came after he stabbed a neighbour with a broken bottle.

The court heard he had been drinking for hours at the neighbour’s flat and then launched the assault after refusing to leave.

Spencer later told police he had no recollection of doing what he did when he woke up in a cell following the alcohol and Valium binge.

The victim had to be treated for his wounds in hospital and now has a permanent 3cm scar to his body.

Spencer admitted wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and at the time was the subject of a suspended sentence for possession of a blade.

The court heard he had four convictions for six offences, including the one for cruelty to animals.

Jailing him for four-and-a-half years, Recorder Simon Gurney said: “You smashed a beer bottle on a table and stabbed the jagged edge of it into him just below the chest.

“Fortunately for him and for you, you did not hit any organs or arteries.”

Will Bennett, for Spencer, said his client committed the offence at a time when he was struggling to cope with the serious illnesses of both his parents.

He said: “He woke in the police cell having no recollection of what happened, he bears the victim absolutely no animosity whatsoever and he is sorry for acting in the way that he did.”

Derbyshire Live

Dogs

Chesterfield, Derbyshire: Laura Batterham

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CONVICTED (2019) | Laura Anne Batterham, born 17 December 1981, of Devonshire Terrace, Holmewood, Chesterfield S42 5RF – mistreated an elderly German Shepherd.

Dog abuser Laura Anne Batterham from Chesterfield, Derbyshire
Laura Batterham failed to care for her elderly dog

Batterham pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a 14-year-old German Shepherd dog named Harley by failing to address his poor body condition.

She also failed to provide adequate veterinary care for his flea infestation, skin disease and ulcerated masses.

Elderly GSD Harley was neglected by his owner Laura Anne Batterham of Chesterfield, Derbyshire, UK
Neglected German Shepherd Harley recovered in the care of the RSPCA and made available for rehoming

After Harley was rescued, RSPCA staff spent three months building up his strength and teaching him to trust people again.

Animal care manager Gary Taylor said: “Harley is absolutely beautiful – though not necessarily in the most conventional ways.

“When he arrived you could count each one of his vertebrae from the other side of the room. His skin was taut over his exposed ribs and he was, for the most part, bald. His body was blotchy and raw in places. He staggered and stumbled. His eyes were sunken.

“He was at his lowest ebb but he remained strong. And he’s come on so much since.”

Sentencing | community order, six-week curfew; ordered to pay £385 in costs and charges. Banned from keeping dogs for 12 months (expired July 2020).

Newslink: BBC Local News (no longer available)

Small Furries, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers, Worst of the Worst

Chesterfield, Derbyshire: David Walker

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CONVICTED (2019) | David Walker, born c. 1988, of no fixed address – smashed and killed a pet ferret with a marble slab and threw another at a fence in front of horrified children.

Chesterfield magistrates’ court heard how David Walker had been babysitting his ex-partner’s children in Clowne when he threw one of the ferrets called Jack and killed another called Joe after he said they had attacked pet guinea pigs.

Prosecuting solicitor Andy Cash, representing the RSPCA, said: “He went on to say he was not thinking and he had acted like an animal and made a conscious decision to kill Joe after he lost control and lost his temper.”

Mr Cash added Walker’s ex had arranged for him to look after the children and their friends but she got a call from him with the children screaming saying the guinea pigs were dead. Walker’s ex returned, according to Mr Cash, and the children said Walker had killed the ferrets and one had been thrown against a fence.

The defendant admitted he had been making drinks and heard screaming and said one of the guinea pigs was dead so he had picked up the ferret Jack and thrown him out of frustration. He added that he lost his temper and grabbed the other ferret Joe and twisted its neck. Walker claimed he did not want Joe to suffer so he put a towel over the ferret’s head and when he realised the animal was still alive he struck Joe with a marble slab.

The court heard Walker’s ex found the pet ferrets in plastic bags in the bin with Jack still breathing but Joe was dead. She stated Walker told her the pet ferrets had killed the guinea pigs and he had killed the ferrets.

Walker pleaded guilty to two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal after the attacks in October 2018.

Karl Meakin, defending, said: “It is an extremely unpleasant sequence of events and one which Mr Walker is deeply ashamed and remorseful for.”

Sentencing | 18 month community order with thinking skills and rehabilitation programmes and 200 hours of unpaid work. Total of £485 costs and charges. Banned from keeping animals for ten years (expires April 2029).

Derby Telegraph

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

Chesterfield, Derbyshire: Abbi Mann

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CONVICTED (2018) | Abbi Mann, born  24/01/1982, of Romford Way, Barrow Hill, Chesterfield  S43 2PU – drowned two of her three pet cats in a toilet.

Cat killer Abbi Mann from Chesterfield, Derbyshire, UK

Single mother Abbi Mann, who has a previous conviction for drink driving, was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to two domestic cats, called Max and Bob, by killing them in an inhumane manner.  A third cat, Pebbles, was rescued and taken into the care of the RSPCA.

Andy Cash, for the RSPCA, told the court that on the evening of the incident a police officer and paramedics had attended Mann’s home in response to a report of a person with suicidal thoughts and noted the defendant seemed under the influence of alcohol.

Mann told the emergency services that one of her cats was struggling to breathe and that she had pushed him down into the water, adding that she had probably killed him. She claimed that the cats had been poisoned by neighbours, who had been bullying her.

Abbi Mann from Chesterfield, Derbyshire, UK killed two cats by drowning

A post-mortem examination revealed evidence  that Max and Bob had been drowned with an expert concluding they had been forcibly restrained. One cat had bruising to his neck consistent with being held around the back of the head and pushed under water.

Mr Cash said: “This is a lady, who, for whatever reason, in moments of stress has responded entirely inappropriately and we have to be concerned for the welfare of animals in the future and that would be the overriding concern of the society.”

He added: “Two animals have died at the hands of this defendant and they must have suffered considerably.”

Mann denied causing unnecessary suffering to the two cats by killing them after the incident in July, 2017, but she was later found guilty at a trial.

The court heard she had also committed the offence while she was subject to a suspended prison sentence imposed for a motoring offence.

Defence solicitor Shirley Fitton said her client has suffered with depression, mental health and alcohol issues and she had been as upset as everybody else because she dearly loved the cats.

District Judge Andrew Davison told Mann: “It was a dreadful offence on two poor innocent, little cats. It is a sickening and cruel offence and they were drowned not by being tied in a sack and thrown in a river but they have died in your hands which is most sinister.”

Sentencing | 26 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months; Rehabilitation Activity Requirement. Total of £1,365 in costs and charges.  Disqualified from keeping animals for life but can apply to have the ban lifted after eight years. 

Derbyshire Times
DerbyshireLive

Cats, Dogs, Hoarders, Lifers

Chesterfield, Derbyshire: Sarah Burnham and Louise Wood

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CONVICTED (2018) | Sarah Burnham, born 10 March 1991, and Louise Wood, born c. 1957, formerly of Hunloke Road, Holmewood, Chesterfield S42 5RZ – mistreated 19 dogs and three cats who were kept in filth and squalor.

Animal hoarder and abuser Sarah Burnham from Chesterfield, Derbyshire UK

Sarah Burnham and Louise Wood mistreated 19 dogs and three cats while they were being kept at a former shared address on Hunloke Road, Holmewood, Chesterfield.

Dogs kept in squalor by animal hoarders and abusers Sarah Burnham and Louise Wood from Chesterfield, Derbyshire UK

The animals were kept in appalling conditions in dark rooms with excrement.

Dogs kept in squalor by animal hoarders and abusers Sarah Burnham and Louise Wood from Chesterfield, Derbyshire UK

The pair pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to the animals by subjecting them to an environment which was detrimental to their wellbeing between October 2017 and January 2018.

Sentencing |
Burnham,  now of no fixed abode, and Wood, now of Edensor Court, Middlecroft, Chesterfield, were both fined £360 each and were each ordered to pay a £36 victim surcharge and £300 costs. Both Wood and Burnham were disqualified from keeping animals for life and no application to lift the order will be allowed for ten years.

Derbyshire Times

Equine Abuse, horses and ponies

Chesterfield, Derbyshire: Judy Shaw

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CONVICTED (2018) | Judy Shaw, born 17/10/1972, of Dorset Close, Brimington, Chesterfield S43 1DW – allowed two of her ponies to become disturbingly underweight and in poor health

Judy Shaw

Chesterfield magistrates’ court heard how Judy Shaw kept ponies Larry and Daisy with five others in a paddock on Sheffield Road, Dronfield, where they were spotted by the public who alerted police.

Judy Shaw's neglected pony Larry
Larry was described as being disturbingly underweight but recovered in the RSPCA’s care. Worryingly, he was returned to his irresponsible owner Judy Shaw after the case, despite her having shown her inability to care for him properly.

The police called the RSPCA who visited the paddock and discovered five ponies in a reasonable condition but the state of Larry and Daisy gave cause for concern.

RSPCA Inspector Michael Darling described Larry as looking like a Jersey cow with prominent ribs and he was in a “pitiful” state and was walking in a slow, laboured manner.

Judy Shaw's neglected pony Larry
Pony Larry was extremely underweight and crawling with lice.

The RSPCA contacted an expert veterinary surgeon, Christine Jamieson, and Larry and Daisy were removed for an investigation and treatment because their conditions were described as “very disturbing”.

The court heard Daisy was not in as bad a condition as Larry but she was underweight with her ribs prominent. Ms Jamieson stated Larry was unbelievably emaciated and added that she had not seen a pony as bad as this alive.

She said Larry was crawling with lice and she could see them laying eggs on his body and that Daisy also had a similar problem but not as bad and she too was underweight but not worryingly so .

Judy Shaw's neglected pony Daisy
Daisy was also in poor condition with her ribs visible through her skin.

Shaw had been treating the ponies for the respiratory condition Strangles and she had been feeding them with supplements but this condition can result in horses going off feed.

Shaw had pleaded not guilty to causing unnecessary suffering by failing to address the ponies’ condition, denied failing to ensure the needs of the ponies were met with a suitable diet and denied failing to protect them from suffering or disease between June and August, 2017.

However, she was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to both Larry and Daisy by failing to seek veterinary advice, and guilty of failing to protect Larry only by failing to protect him from lice.

Shaw was found not guilty of failing to provide Larry and Daisy with a suitable diet.

Following the hearing, RSPCA inspector Rachel Leafe said: “The horses were in a very bad condition at the time we were called out and the vet who treated them said that, in the case of Larry, they had never seen a horse so thin to survive. He couldn’t stand up he was so weak.

“Since being in RSPCA care they have thrived and are back to full health. As no disqualification order was made by the court, the horses will now go back to Shaw’s care.”

Sentencing:
Shaw, who is dependent on benefits, was fined £500 and was ordered to pay £750 costs and a £30 victim surcharge. The defendant was not banned from keeping animals and no order was made to deprive her of her ponies.

Source: Dewsbury Reporter (article removed)

Update | May 2021

Shaw was back before the courts facing charges in relation to her shocking neglect of horses and cats. Her partner Peter Hardy was also charged with cruelty. Both were convicted and given a community sentence and 10-year ban on keeping all animals.

Dogs

Chesterfield, Derbyshire: Tracey Carter

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CONVICTED (2018) | Tracey Carter, aka Skye Arnold, born c. 1973, of Hucklow Avenue, North Wingfield, Chesterfield S42 5PX – failed to treat her two dogs’ ailments.

Dog abuser Tracey Carter from Chesterfield has been banned from keeping animals for 10 years.
Dog abuser Tracey Carter from Chesterfield has been banned from keeping animals for 10 years.

It was proved in absence that Carter caused unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, namely a Neapolitan Mastiff cross dog, by failing to provide prompt or adequate veterinary care and attention for the dog’s severe and chronic flea infestation.

It was also proved in absence that Carter caused unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, namely a Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross dog, by failing to provide prompt or adequate veterinary care and attention for its flea infestation and allergic dermatitis.

It was also proved in absence that Carter did not take steps to ensure that the needs of the same Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross were met by failing to meet its need to be protected from pain, injury and suffering or disease by failing to provide prompt or adequate veterinary care and attention to its ear infection.

Sentencing: 26 weeks in jail, suspended for one year; 16-week curfew with electronic monitoring; total of £415 costs and charges. Disqualified from owning animals for ten years.

Derbyshire Times

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

Chesterfield, Derbyshire: Donovan Rowland

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CONVICTED (2017) | Donovan Spencer Rowland, born 17/07/1994, of 19 Chester House, Chester Street, Chesterfield S40 1DW – shot his Akita dog in the head with a crossbow bolt

Dog killer: Donovan Rowland from Chesterfield was only banned from keeping animals for three years despite his extreme cruelty towards his pet Akita
Dog killer: Donovan Rowland was only banned from keeping animals for three years despite his extreme cruelty towards his pet Akita

Chesterfield magistrates’ court heard how Rowland had injured the dog so badly that any attempt to save her life would have been too costly so she had to be put down.

Prosecuting solicitor Sarah Haslam said: “A call was made to a local Pets at Home and the defendant said he had shot his dog in the head with a crossbow at home.

“He said it is in his head and he called the police.”

Dog killer: Donovan Rowland from Chesterfield, Derbyshire

A police officer attended the address, according to Mrs Haslam, and saw the dog with a crossbow bolt sticking out of her forehead.

Mrs Haslam added that the bolt was a foot long with the tip embedded in the dog’s skull.

She added: “The dog must have been suffering quite badly and was close to death.”

Dog killer: Donovan Rowland from Chestertfield, Derbyshire, UK
Dog killer: Rowland is a member of Chester Street Gym in Chesterfield

Rowland pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal by shooting the Japanese Akita dog between the eyes with a crossbow after the incident on August 13, 2017.

Defence solicitor James Riley said the defendant has mental health difficulties.

Mr Riley added: “The defendant called Pets at Home and he was described as being upset and crying and he didn’t know why he had done it.”

Rowland working out at Chester Street Gym

Rowland had suffered some form of breakdown, according to Mr Riley, at the time of the offence.

Mr Riley added: “This was a cherished pet and it is not your archetypal animal cruelty case. It was a lapse of thought affecting a dog he loved.”

The dog had to be put down due to a lack of funds, according to Mr Riley, not because the injury could not have been remedied.

Sentencing: 12 weeks of custody suspended for 12 months with a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement. Ordered to pay £200 costs and charges. Banned from keeping animals for three years (expired October 2020).

Source: Derbyshire Times (article removed)