CONVICTED (2024) | Rebecca Hopkins, born c. 1995, currently of Marine Road, Pensarn, Abergele LL22 7PS – left multiple pets without food and water.
Hopkins was sentenced to 10 weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, in September 2023, and was disqualified from owning or keeping pets for five years. However, following an appeal hearing on March 1, 2024, the suspended sentence was revoked and her ban on keeping animals reduced to just three years. Presiding judge Timothy Petts said the original five-year disqualification was “too long” and three years was “more realistic”.
Hopkins admitted charges of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and failing in her duty of care to ensure an animal’s welfare.
Idiot magistrate Tim Petts said the five-year disqualification order imposed on a chaotic woman that abandoned her pets was “too long” with three years being “more realistic”
Barrister Ember-Jade Wong told the court that, on March 30, 2023, officers twice attended Hopkins’ then-address on Bryn Trewan, Caergeiliog, Anglesey, regarding an unrelated matter.
They received no response, but on the second occasion, looked into the property through a gap in blinds to see faeces “all over the floor”.
Officers could also see two dogs without food or water inside the property. When an officer looked through the letter box, one dog was “yelping” and trying to jump over a baby gate.
The next day, officers returned, and the dogs were still in the kitchen, while there was “more faeces than previously”.
Hopkins was also caring for two rats and guinea pigs each at the time; both were said to be within their cages but without food or water.
She was found “sleeping rough” in Colwyn Bay, telling officers she did not intend to return to her Anglesey property due to issues with mould.
On April 15, 2023, officers broke in to the Anglesey property, and were said to have been “overcome with the smell of faeces and urine”.
The dogs were “dishevelled”, and none of the six animals appeared to have any access to food or water.
Following further inspections, the guinea pigs were found to have no fresh bedding, and the acidity of the urine in their cage may have caused burns on their legs.
Of the two rats, one had identifiable breathing issues, and another was underweight.
Neighbours said they “heard dogs barking constantly”, meanwhile.
Hopkins relinquished care of all of the animals save for one of the dogs, but lost her right to also keep this pet after she was convicted.
Representing Hopkins, who had three previous convictions for five offences, Richard Edwards said she moved to Colwyn Bay to be with her partner at the time, understood to be called Lewis Ford.
He was no longer allowed to reside at her address after being convicted of assaulting her, but his Colwyn Bay address prohibited the keeping of animals.
Hopkins wanted to appeal the sentence in respect of her disqualification from keeping animals, as pets were said to bring her some comfort after losing custody of her children.
Judge Timothy Petts, presiding over the appeal with magistrates, removed the suspended jail term, but said a ban on keeping pets would have to stay in place, albeit reduced to a mere three years.
“We realise that is a great source of distress for her,” Judge Petts added.
CONVICTED (2024) | Joseph Fogg, born c. 1984, of South Parade, Pensarn, Abergele LL22 7RH – kicked a dog with force during a domestic violence incident.
Fogg admitted causing unnecessary suffering to an animal alongside charges of assault by beating, using threatening behaviour, criminal damage to property and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Prosecuting, Thomas McLoughlin told the court that, at about 5.30pm in Rhyl on October 2, 2023, Fogg pushed a woman, bruising her and causing her to fall to the floor.
Fogg then kicked a dog with such force that she retreated and urinated.
He then caused roughly £1,100 of damage to the woman’s mobile phone, rendering it unusable.
While carrying the child, the woman was then punched on multiple occasions by Fogg, though one of his blows struck the child in the face instead.
The woman suffered swelling, bruising and cuts, and both she and the child suffered reddening under their eyes.
After the woman told Fogg that he had hit the child, he replied: “I’ll do it again.”
Defending Fogg, who had 16 previous convictions for 23 offences, but none for violent matters since 2012, Jade Tufail asked if the court could consider suspending his custodial sentence.
She said he has been “out of trouble” for three years, and suffers from mental health issues and alcoholism – though he “hasn’t touched a drink since the incident,” she added.
Ms Tufail described Fogg as “not somebody who is without hope”.
Sentencing, Judge Nicola Saffman deemed Fogg’s offences too serious for immediate custody to be avoided.
“You were clearly intoxicated,” she told Fogg, who spent much of the hearing weeping and with his head in his hands.
Judge Saffman added: “In my judgment, this is a matter where only an immediate custodial sentence is appropriate.”
Sentencing | two-year custodial. No mention of a ban.
CONVICTED (2020) | John Trafford, born 07/12/1980, of Lon Olwen, Kinmel Bay, Rhyl LL18 5LQ – swung his French bulldog above his head by his lead and slammed him into the ground, before kicking and punching him
John Trafford can now add animal cruelty to his long list of criminal convictions
Career criminal and drug addict Trafford, whose previous offences include assault, harassment and burglary, was found guilty of “gratuitous” violence to the French bulldog, known as Ronnie.
District judge Gwyn Jones said Trafford’s violence towards the animal had been “deliberate and gratuitous”.
“No doubt the dog was terrified and was in significant pain as a result of your behaviour,” Judge Jones said.
The court heard Trafford had panicked when the dog bolted but his reaction on 19 May 2020 was “totally over the top”.
Jailing Trafford, the judge said the “extent of the violence” justified the jail term.
A solicitor defending Trafford said he had made no attempt to try and excuse his behaviour and remained “appalled” by it.
Ronnie was not injured and has been placed with another local family.
Sentencing: Trafford appealed against his original sentence of a 20-week jail term and 15-year ban on keeping dogs. The prison sentence was reduced to just 12 weeks and his ban is now for 10 years (expires October 2030).
CONVICTED (2019) | horse abuser Steven Martin Lock, born c. 1964, of Penisaf Avenue, Towyn, Abergele LL22 9LL
Gypsy traveller Steven Lock abuses horses and has also ripped off elderly people through his dodgy building firms Coastal Home Improvements Ltd and Westcoast Roofing
Gypsy traveller Steven Lock pleaded guilty to four Animal Welfare Act offences related to his “appalling” and “long-running” treatment of equines.
The 54-year-old, a notorious rogue trader with a conviction for ripping off elderly customers, admitted offences relating to the mistreatment of seven mares and one stallion.
RSPCA Cymru had long been monitoring the welfare of a number of horses, located at fields off Tan-y-Fron Road in Abergele.
Despite repeated warnings and the provision of advice – the welfare of a number of the animals started to decline sharply over the autumn of 2018.
Steven Lock has been banned from keeping animals for a decade following his “appalling” and “long-running” treatment of horses
In October 2018 officers removed three mares and a filly from the site, all of whom were very underweight and had severe diarrhoea. Three foals belonging to the mares were also removed, because they were too young to come away from their mothers.
A further three mares, a filly and a stallion were removed in December 2018, many appearing thin, and living in muddy conditions. One was found to be suffering, while the remainder were not having their needs sufficiently met.
Two horses had to be euthanised after becoming seriously unwell. A post-mortem examination of them showed they had serious liver damage thought to be caused from ragwort as well as internal damage caused by parasites.
RSPCA inspector Jenny Anderton said: “This was a really difficult case to work on, given the repeated attempts and efforts we made to support this individual with caring for the horses.
“We worked closely with World Horse Welfare to help these horses, and we’re very grateful, as always, for their support, assistance and expertise.
“Sadly, the man’s failure to provide proper care was long-running, and some of the treatment these horses endured was appalling.
“Many were very thin, and living in wholly inappropriate muddy conditions. Others were struggling with severe diarrhoea and urgently needed help.
“Owning equines should be a privilege – but despite repeated warnings and attempts of help, this individual repeatedly failed to give the equines the care they so desperately needed.
“I hope this incident highlights to people how important it is to give equines appropriate treatment for parasites, be vigilant against the toxic plant ragwort as well as consulting your vet at the first sign of any illness.
“Horses have complex needs, are expensive to keep properly and time-consuming to look after.
“I would urge anyone considering taking on a horse to ensure they have the necessary financial means and specialist knowledge before they do so.”
Sentencing: curfew; ordered to pay £250 towards costs. Ten-year ban on keeping animals.
CONVICTED (2018) | badger baiting ring members David William Lloyd Thomas, born 21/03/1966, of Cwm Bowydd Farm, Blaenau Ffestiniog LL41 3EL, Marc Wynn Morris, born 19/05/1991, of Jones Street, Blaenau Ffestiniog LL41 3YF, Jordan Alexander Houlston, born 04/08/1993, of Alexandra Road, Llandudno LL30 2DQ* and an unnamed 17-year-old
Convicted badger baiters and dog abusers David Thomas and Jordan Houlston
The four men were convicted following an RSPCA probe into badger baiting and animal fighting at Cwm Bowydd Farm, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd, North Wales LL41 3EL.
The undercover investigation into the activities of Houlston and co, which was led by Ian Briggs of the RSPCA’s special operations unit, featured in a May 2018 documentary produced by BBC Wales entitled ‘The Secret World of Badger Baiting’.
The programme also uncovered a scene of horror at Cwm Bowydd farm, which is co-owned by David Thomas, sole master of the Dwyrd hunt .
Animal cruelty on a massive scale was taking place at the farm with dozens of neglected dogs found locked away in brick enclosures with no natural light.
Several dogs were kept in appalling conditions at the farm
Two foxes were found in a cage which had been placed close to a barn in which fox hounds were being kept.
At the farm the RSPCA discovered two foxes in a cage placed near to a barn containing fox hounds The terrified foxes were trapped in a cage which was placed next to kennels containing hunting hounds
A search of Jordan Houlston’s flat found several dogs in external and others living in tiny enclosures inside including in the property’s bathroom.
Investigators discovered animal medication at the flat and a number of books on hunting with dogs and badger baiting.
A total of 31 dogs were taken from Houlston’s flat and the farm to be examined by a vet.
One rescued Patterdale terrier had fresh injuries to her nose, damage to her jaw and a peeling wound on her chin.
The court heard how artificial badger setts were found at the farm along with seven skulls, possibly those of foxes or badgers.
The RSPCA said this fake sett was used to hold a badger
Pipes were used to hold captive animals and dogs were brought to a copse and forced to fight with them.
Video footage showed badger baiting, which has been illegal since 1835.
A badger had been brought to the area in advance and arrangements made for dogs to chase and injure the animal.
The presiding judge Gwyn Jones said: “Fortunately, we didn’t see how the badger was ultimately killed, but it’s quite clear the death would have been slow and no doubt extremely painful.
“That activity would also have had an adverse impact on the dogs.
“This was a deliberate and planned venture to cause suffering to an animal,”
“Mr Thomas and Mr Houlston played a leading role.”
Thomas was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to a badger by causing it to fight with dogs.
One of the two terrified foxes saved from a cruel death at David Thomas’s farm
He was also found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to two foxes by keeping them caged close to dogs, causing the foxes to be terrified, and other animal welfare allegations.
Jordan Houlston was convicted of ill-treating a badger, and unnecessary suffering by causing a badger to fight with dogs at Cwm Bowydd Farm in February 2017.
Jordan Houston is approved by the Master of Foxhounds Association
He was also found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to four dogs and failing to meet the welfare needs of seven dogs.
Dogs rescued from the farm and Houlston’s flat
Morris pleaded guilty to wilfully injuring a badger, being present at an animal fight and causing unnecessary suffering to a badger by causing it to fight with a dog.
Sentencing: David Thomas – imprisoned for 22 weeks, and placed under close supervision for a 12-month period; costs of £5,000. Disqualified from keeping dogs for eight years.
Houlston – imprisoned for 20 weeks, and also placed under close supervision for a 12-month period; total of £750 costs and charges. Disqualified from keeping dogs for eight years.
Morris – 10-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months; 150 hours of unpaid work; total of £650 costs and charges. Disqualified from keeping dogs for four years.
The unnamed 17-year-old who had pleaded guilty to being present at an animal fight was ordered to pay a total of £220 in costs and banned from keeping dogs for four years.
Jordan Houlston is now reportedly living in Ffordd Gobaith, Mochdre, Colwyn Bay LL28 5BY.
March 2022
Jordan Houlston was back in court after being caught in possession of a lurcher in breach of his disqualification order. Houlston claimed the dog, named Scruffy, belonged to his farmer.
He told the court he had been visiting a farmer to help him catch a squirrel with a trap. His partner, who apparently has irritable bowel syndrome, went to the farmer’s toilet while Houston got the dog out of the boot.
But police turned up and found him alone with the dog – breaching his ban.
Houlston admitted breaching his disqualification under the Animal Welfare Act.
He was given a 12-month community order with a condition to do 140 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £95 surcharge.
David Thomas and his son Carwyn Lloyd Fazakerley appeared at Llandudno Magistrates Court where they pleaded guilty to multiple animal welfare charges .
Carwyn Fazakerley
It followed an investigation by the League Against Cruel Sports, at Cwm Bowydd Farm in Blaenau Ffestiniog. The charity found dogs were being kept there in awful conditions.
Footage obtained by the charity shows a foxhound being kicked and stamped on, another being chained up for days, some dead foxhounds being incinerated at the farm and a terrier being chained and kept in appalling conditions without water.
Source: League Against Cruel Sports
The investigation by the League Against Cruel Sports led to a raid by North Wales Police (NWP) and the RSPCA in November 2021 and the seizure of 34 dogs, including the entire foxhound pack.
The case was adjourned for sentencing on November 7 at 2pm.
David Thomas who’s also known as Dafydd Thomas or Dei Thomas
Chris Luffingham, director of external affairs at the League Against Cruel Sports, said: “These dogs were treated disgustingly by people who should not have been allowed near them in the first place, and shows the blatant disregard those in the hunting community have for animals, whether wildlife or hound.
“Those who abuse animals for ‘sport’ will disgust the public and deserve to face the full weight of the law and go to jail.”
Thomas pleaded guilty to six charges under the Animal Welfare Act. Fazakerley pleaded guilty to a charge that 29 dogs were not kept in a suitable environment.
The RSPCA safely housed all the animals that were seized in the raid.
On Monday 7 November 2022, Snowdonia farmer David William Lloyd Thomas was jailed for 24 weeks after flouting his eight-year ban on keeping dogs.
Thomas, who had 2,000 acres and 2,000 sheep, admitted breaching a previous ban and failing to properly care for 29 dogs and two ferrets. He was also handed a fresh ten-year ban from keeping dogs or ferrets.
Source: League Against Cruel Sports
District judge Gwyn Jones told the hearing Thomas had three times breached a disqualification made in 2018 after a badger-baiting case.
Jones told the defendant: “I am quite satisfied it’s a wilful, deliberate and persistent breach of the order. No doubt you would have hoped with the passage of time people will no longer be concerned with regard to the way in which you deal with animals.”#
Carwyn Lloyd Fazakerley also admitted failing to provide a suitable environment for 29 dogs last November. Fazakerley, who was described by a probation officer as “loyal to his father”, was ordered to do 160 hours unpaid work and pay £600 costs.
He was also banned from owning dogs for ten years.
Deprivation orders were made for the two ferrets and 28 surviving dogs.
Speaking about the case Chris Luffingham, director of external affairs at the League Against Cruel Sports, said: “These animals were kept in filthy, disgusting conditions and treated appallingly by Thomas and Fazakerley.
“When we reviewed our investigators’ footage we were shocked and appalled by what we saw – and incredibly concerned for the welfare of other animals we suspected were on the property.
“Unfortunately our fears were realised when the warrant was executed, and we are grateful to North Wales Police and the RSPCA for their work to safeguard these animals.
“We welcome today’s custodial sentence but are incredibly disappointed that as someone who has previously been jailed for animal cruelty that today’s sentence wasn’t far stronger, especially given the new sentencing powers available to the courts.”
Just a few days into his custodial sentence David William Lloyd Thomas was RELEASED from prison following a ruling by an incompetent judge.
Thomas appealed to Mold Crown Court and had his sentence reduced to 13 weeks suspended for a year. He must do 200 hours unpaid work and pay £756 costs. The additional 10-year ban on keeping dogs was lifted.
Appeal Judge Nicola Saffman said the new sentence was “just and proportionate.”
She ordered Thomas’s release from jail because of the impact on his brother running the farm and two children relying on Thomas’s emotional and financial support.
The League Against Cruel Sports, whose video evidence was crucial in securing Thomas’s conviction, reported the devastating news in an email to its followers. They wrote: “Thanks to our work all the animals on his farm are now safe, but this sentence is nowhere near enough to deter those who would do harm to animals. As a repeat offender Thomas should have been banned for LIFE from keeping animals.
“It’s incredibly disappointing that someone previously jailed for animal cruelty that the sentence wasn’t far stronger, especially given the new sentencing powers available to the courts.
“We were instrumental in the new Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act for maximum custodial sentences increasing from six months to five years. Now is the time to push for these sentences to be applied in extreme cases of animal abuse like this”.
CONVICTED (2017) | Dylan Marcus Edwards, born 04/02/1967, of Plas Helyg, Llanrwst LL26 0ES – bludgeoned a tame feral cat to death at hotel
Cat killer Dylan Edwards pictured outside court
Edwards pleaded guilty to the charge of causing a cat unnecessary suffering.
The case followed the killing of a cat in the kitchen of the Royal Oak Hotel in Betws y Coed – which prompted widespread anger among the local community and on social media.
The court heard how the animal was beaten to death with a piece of wood on December 2., 2016.
Edwards, who had served as a Head Chef and Catering Manager at the hotel, was dismissed by management before court proceedings.
RSPCA inspector Phil Lewis said: “To bludgeon a cat to death in this way is a heinous crime, and it is no surprise there was such widespread condemnation to this act across North Wales.
“With no body or witnesses to the incident, this was a complex investigation, but RSPCA Cymru worked hard to ensure legal ramifications were faced for this despicable action.
“The poor cat was chased, caught and beaten, in what must have been a terrifying experience, causing unimaginable pain. Ignorance of the law is no excuse for such cruelty.”
Sentencing: 18-week prison sentence, suspended for two years; 250 hours of unpaid work; £750 in costs. Disqualified from owning any animal for four years (expired 2021).
CONVICTED (2017) | Nathan Lee Fisher, born 06/02/1993, previously of Kinmel Bay, Conwy County Borough, north-east Wales, with a last-known address of Wesley Street, Amlwch LL68 9EY – banned from keeping animals after a dog was found dead under a trampoline while another was severely emaciated
Nathan Fisher was banned for keeping animals for a decade after starving two Akitas
Nathan Fisher admitted causing unnecessary suffering to the dead Akita named Kuma and the puppy’s mother Layla who was described as a ‘bag of bones’
Puppy Kuma was found dead underneath a child’s trampoline in the garden of Nathan Fisher’s house
RSPCA Cymru got involved after North Wales Police attended Fisher’s address where they found Kuma dead in the back garden underneath a trampoline.
Layla was also found at the house and was described as “so skinny that bones were clearly visible through her coat”.
Fisher’s other dog was so thin her bones were clearly visible through her coat.
The RSPCA said the dogs suffered unnecessarily due to a failure to adequately explore and address their weight loss.
RSPCA inspector Phil Lewis said: “These poor Akita dogs were subject to outright neglect and ill-treatment, which cost one of the dogs their life.
“Fortunately, the other has been happily re-homed from an RSPCA animal centre.
“When she was found at the Kinmel Bay property, she looked an absolute bag of bones but thankfully her suffering is over.”
Sentence: 12-week prison sentences for the two charges, to run concurrently, suspended for 18 months; 12-month community order, 180 hours of community work; nine-month alcohol treatment order; fined £750 and ordered to pay a £115 victim surcharge. Banned from keeping animals for 10 years (expires March 2027).
CONVICTED (2017) | Richard Thomas Davies, born 15/12/1984, of Cae Clyd, Llandudno LL30 1BL – flung a kitten around by her tail before hurling her into a pond and letting her drown
Alcoholic loser and cruel bastard Richard Thomas Davies who drowned a helpless kitten to punish his child
Davies admitted causing unnecessary suffering to an animal at a pond near an adventure playground in Rhyl.
Prosecutor James Neary told the court that a young girl saw the kitten in the water.
“She immediately took off her coat and went in the pond to save the kitten’s life,” he said.
“The defendant grabbed her by both arms and he was laughing and said ‘you will not have a kitten ever again’.”
Children pulled the kitten from the water and tried in vain to save it.
“The defendant seemed to find the whole situation amusing. He had a smug look on his face,” Mr Neary said.
The kitten had been promised to a girl who had already chosen a name for the pet and when seen by the police she was very upset, the prosecutor added.
2022 image of kitten killer Richard Davies. Source: Facebook
Court chairman Brian Cossey told Davies: ”This was very horrific and callous. We are appalled by what we have heard. You probably traumatised a very young vulnerable person.
“We have considered an immediate prison sentence but we have stepped back.”
A probation officer said Davies felt “sick” about his behaviour, having made no attempt to save the kitten. He was on state benefit.
Defence solicitor Dafydd Roberts said: ”This was a particularly mean offence. He’s gutted about what happened that day. It was in drink. The defendant has been blighted by alcoholism.”
However, he was now “very different” from the man who committed the unpleasant offence in August , the lawyer added.
Sentence: 12-week suspended jail term; alcohol treatment and rehabilitation; £50 compensation and £735 costs; banned from keeping an animal for five years (expired February 2022).
CONVICTED (2006) | James David Nicholson, born 22/04/1984, at the time of conviction of Station Road, Colwyn Bay, but as at March 2020 living at 67 Pocket Nook Street, St Helens WA9 1NQ – repeatedly beat his dog and hung him from a lamp-post
Nicholson, who works as a part-time DJ under the name N-Tyce, was caught on camera hanging Jack Russell terrier Sweep from a lamp-post as he waited for a takeaway.
Magistrates watched CCTV footage showing Sweep cowering as his owner repeatedly beat him. Nicholson then hung the terrified dog from a lamp-post, before flinging him across a pavement.
Nicholson, who sobbed as he watched the footage in court, was told the attack had caused Sweep “physiological trauma”.
He admitted causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.
Chris Dawson, prosecuting for the RSPCA, said: “He left the dog hanging off the windowsill. When asked why he had done that, he said ‘He kept barking.’
“He said he’d had a bad night, but he hadn’t meant to take it out on the dog.”
Nicholson cried heavily while the footage was played to magistrates, and often shielded his eyes away from the screen.
Magistrates’ chairman Howie Roberts told Nicholson: “Quite frankly, we were disgusted by what we saw on the video.
“We hope you show a lot more respect for the animals in your care.”
Nicholson, a part-time DJ from Station Road, was caught on film outside the Bay Grill takeaway on Seaview Road, Colwyn Bay, just after midnight on 4 September 2005.
He was told he could not take the dog into the shop, but became increasingly angry at the pet barking while he was waiting outside. It was then the brown and white dog’s ordeal started.
The CCTV footage shows the pet being whipped with the handle of the lead several times, flinching at every sudden blow.
Sweep tried to flee the attack, but was stopped from running away because of his lead.
Nicholson then lifted up the dog by the lead, with the Jack Russell hanging in mid-air. His owner tied the top of the lead to a lamppost, and hung the pet there for a few seconds.
But Nicholson seemed to realise the upset he caused Sweep, and took him into his arms. He held the dog close, and peppered him with kisses.
On the walk home, with a petrified Sweep dragging behind on the lead, Nicholson violently yanked the lead, flinging his pet over several feet.
He then kicked Sweep in the side of his body.
An RSPCA report said: “The persistent nature of the behaviour has caused the dog unnecessary suffering, primarily physiological trauma.”
It adds: “The body language of the dog clearly showed that the dog was afraid and repeatedly tried to get away, but was restricted by the lead.”
Gwyndaf Pari, defending, said: “It was a one-off offence, one at the lower end of the scale, perhaps one that was impulsive and one after which he has shown genuine remorse.
“Since then, he has looked after the dog well.
“It is an animal clearly loved by Mr Nicholson.
“He has certainly learned his lesson since, and was dealing with the stress a relatively new job brought. It is something that worried him.”
Sentencing: fined £250 with £262 court costs. He was not banned from keeping animals and was allowed to keep Sweep.
