Tag Archives: curfew and tagging order

Animal Abandonment, Dogs, Worst of the Worst

Tooting, South London: Mercy Mujinya-Motima

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CONVICTED (2024) | Mercy Mujinya-Motima, born 27 May 1986, of Longley Road, Tooting, London – starved her pet Labradoodle to death.

RSPCA prosecution of Mercy Mujinya-Motima from Tooting, South London, who starved a labradoodle to death.

NHS employee Mujinya-Motima, who works in mental health services, took the emaciated body of the female dog, Shiloh, to the Blue Cross animal hospital on 23 October 2023.

She told staff the one-year-old labradoodle had died after being involved in a collision with a car the previous evening. However, it was evident to the vet that the dog had been starved over a prolonged period and had no injuries consistent with a road traffic accident. She was given a body condition score of just one out of nine.

RSPCA prosecution of Mercy Mujinya-Motima from Tooting, South London, who starved a labradoodle to death.
Vets discovered that Shiloh weighed just 5.8kg and was severely emaciated

The vet was of the opinion Shiloh had been unwell for at least six months before her death

Mujinya-Motima had never taken the dog, whom she had owned from the age of eight weeks, to a vet but had registered her with a practice just five days before her death.

RSPCA prosecution of Mercy Mujinya-Motima from Tooting, South London, who starved a labradoodle to death.

RSPCA inspector Harriet Daliday investigated for the animal welfare charity.

In written evidence, she stated: “I was shocked at what ease the body was removed from the storage given the breed of dog. I could easily lift the dog with one hand.

“I was informed that the dog only weighed 5.8kg at the time she was brought in.

“Shiloh was extremely underweight with all ribs, hips and spine sharp and easily felt.

“The shape of her skull and the indentation above the eye sockets were easily felt. There was absolutely no fat or muscle on her body.

“Her eyes were sunken in and had a gunky discharge surrounding them.

“She had a small open wound on her left hind leg and what looked to be like pressure sores on her thighs. I found it surprising that whilst being in this poor condition, Shiloh’s coat appeared to be well maintained.

“It was clean and looked like it had been fairly freshly groomed. The nails were trimmed far back and had been cut as opposed to being naturally short.”

RSPCA prosecution of Mercy Mujinya-Motima from Tooting, South London, who starved a labradoodle to death.

Inspector Daliday also contacted the registered owner on the dog’s chip – who was the breeder of the labradoodle – and added: “She advised she had a litter of labradoodle puppies last July which she sold at nine weeks old.

“This one by the name of Pink Collar was sold to a lady and her daughter. She said she would be able to find the contact details if I needed them.

“I advised the dog was sadly deceased and this was now being investigated. The breeder was shocked and upset that this had happened to one of her puppies.”

RSPCA prosecution of Mercy Mujinya-Motima from Tooting, South London, who starved a labradoodle to death.

Mujinya-Motima pleaded guilty to an animal welfare offence.

The court heard in mitigation that she was remorseful and distressed and that she had no plans to keep a dog in the future.

They added that she had paid over £400 for the dog, and had voluntarily surrendered the dog’s body to the vet.

Sentencing | 12-month community order including a 12-week curfew and an electronic tag; £400 costs. Five-year ban on owning dogs (expires March 2029).

BristolLive
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Equine Abuse, horse traders, horses and ponies, riding stables, stud farms and livery yards, Serial Animal Abusers, Traveller Animal Crimes

Browney, County Durham: Pamela Brown

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CONVICTED (2024) | serial animal abuser Pamela Mary Brown, born 7 November 1954, of 16 Browney Lane, Browney, Durham DH7 8HT – for the neglect of two horses.

Serial horse abuser Pamela Brown, a traveller from Browney, Durham, County Durham. Image: Pamela Brown / Facebook.

Pamela Brown, a traveller and repeat offender*, has been given an 11-week curfew for causing unnecessary suffering to horses Rosealee and Topsy between January and May 2023..

She pleaded guilty to ineffective equine dentistry care, inadequate investigation, or addressing of the horses’ underweight and poor bodily conditions.

She was ordered to comply with curfew from 9pm to 7am daily at her caravan.

Serial horse abuser Pamela Brown, a traveller from Browney, Durham, County Durham. Image: Pamela Brown / Facebook.

The order lasts until May 21, 2024, includes electronic monitoring, and allows three metres of movement for toilet visits.

She is also disqualified from dealing with horses for ten years and must pay a £114 victim services surcharge and £300 in costs, at £20 per month starting April 3.

Northern Echo

*In February 2015 Pamela Brown was given an 18-month supervision order and five-year ban on keeping horses for neglecting one equine so severely he had to be immediately destroyed.

The unnamed horse, who was kept in a field with 12 others in Langley Moor, Durham, was underweight with an overgrown and deformed hoof. Other horses in the herd had skin diseases and lice.

Serial horse abuser Pamela Brown, a traveller from Browney, Durham, County Durham. Pictured with co-defendant Louise Nicholson aka Louise Doherty. Image: Pamela Brown / Facebook.
Serial horse abuser Pamela Brown with daughter Louise Nicholson, aka Louise Doherty, co-defendant in the 2015 RSPCA prosecution and co-owner with husband Patrick Doherty of Doherty Stud Yard.

Speaking about the horse that was euthanised, Kevin Campbell for the RSPCA said the animal had “poor body condition .. poor feet, poor living environment and effectively it is difficult to see anything worse that could have been done to to the horse”.

Brown’s co-accused, daughter Louise Nicholson aka Louise Doherty or NickyLouise Dior Doherty, born October 1988, and also of 16 Browney Lane, was cleared of five charges of failing to ensure an animal’s welfare, relating to a pony called Tiny and another unnamed horse.

Serial horse abuser Pamela Brown, a traveller from Browney, Durham, County Durham. Image: Pamela Brown / Facebook.

In mitigation for Pamela Brown, solicitor David Ward described her as “a very robust lady who is the matriarch …”

He added that his client “has some difficulty in reading and writing as they all seem to do, but it is unlikely that this lady will be involved in any further offending“.

In addition to the supervision order and five-year ban, Brown was ordered to pay £1,000 costs and a £60 victim surcharge.

Northern Echo

Additional Information

Pamela Brown’s daughter Louise Nicholson/Louise Doherty is co-director with husband Patrick Doherty aka Par Doherty of Doherty Stud Yard Ltd.

animal fighting / baiting, Animal Torture, badger baiting, Birds, deer, Dogs, foxes, hunting with dogs, Multiple Species, Organised Animal Crime, Serial Animal Abusers, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports, Worst of the Worst

Worksop, Nottinghamshire: Daniel Taylor

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CONVICTED (2023) | sadistic Daniel Taylor, born c. 1992, of 99 Shrewsbury Road, Manton, Worksop S89 2TX – tortured, killed and mutilated more than 100 deer, foxes, badgers and pigeons.

CPS prosecution of ultra-sadistic wildlife persecutor Daniel Taylor from Worksop, Nottinghamshire.

A police search of the home Daniel Taylor shares with company director wife Georgina Ruth Taylor, née Georgina Brigham, revealed over 100 graphic phone videos and images which showed him attacking, decapitating and encouraging his dogs to fight and kill wildlife.

Prosecutor Lucy Woodcock told the court: “In some videos he is seen dissecting the animals and ripping internal organs out”.

Officers also found 15 deer heads and 14 fox tails, as well as snares and weapons.

Police found a shocking hoard of deer skulls, fox tails and weapons at Worksop man Daniel Taylor's family home
Police found a shocking hoard of deer skulls, fox tails and weapons at Daniel Taylor’s family home

A blood-stained quad bike and lamping equipment were also recovered.

Police arrested Taylor, confiscated his phone and removed his dogs from the house as part of the investigation.

Officers were able to map the images and videos on his phone to specific locations.

CPS prosecution of ultra-sadistic wildlife persecutor Daniel Taylor from Worksop, Nottinghamshire.

PC Mark Holland, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “From this we were able to prove when and where most of the animals were killed and link this evidence in with several reports of poaching.

“We also received intelligence which helped establish Taylor was in areas at the relevant times.”

CPS prosecution of ultra-sadistic wildlife persecutor Daniel Taylor from Worksop, Nottinghamshire.

PC Ben Harrison said: “At the back of Taylor’s premises we found what was essentially a slaughterhouse for animals.

“Taylor clearly took pleasure out of his dogs torturing these animals.

“They were clearly being trained to get hold of these animals and rip them to shreds.

“The videos were gruesome and the sounds of the animals squealing in pain were horrible.

CPS prosecution of ultra-sadistic wildlife persecutor Daniel Taylor from Worksop, Nottinghamshire.

“In one particular video, while Taylor was filming one of these acts, he dropped his phone and it flipped over. He bent over to pick it up and it captured a full face shot of him. There was no question over who was doing the filming or who was the owner of these videos.”

The court heard Taylor had played a leading role in “sadistic behaviour” which was “prolonged and repeated” between August 2021 and February 2023.

CPS prosecution of ultra-sadistic wildlife persecutor Daniel Taylor from Worksop, Nottinghamshire.

Sentencing Taylor, Judge Mark Watson told him: “These offences cannot in any way be described as sport. This was a barbaric hobby of yours.

“This was planned activity by you and you clearly revelled in the suffering of these animals.

“You encouraged your dogs to attack these animals with ferocity and they suffered immeasurably.

“These were prolonged and repeated incidents of serious cruelty and examples of sadistic behaviour.”

Sentencing | jailed for two years and eight months. Banned from owning, keeping or participating in keeping dogs for at least seven years

ITV News

Cats, Hoarders

Crosby, Liverpool: Mandy Swash

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CONVICTED (2024) | hoarder Mandy Swash, born 3 September 1970, of Rosedale Avenue, Crosby, Liverpool L23 0UQ – kept animals in shocking squalor.

Hoarder Mandy Swash from Crosby, Liverpool Picture: Facebook

Two dead cats were discovered by RSPCA inspector Louise Showering during a visit to Mandy Swash’s previous home on Barmouth Way, Vauxhall, Liverpool, in September 2022. The charity had been called to investigate reports of dead animals and animals living in poor conditions. Showering put on a mask to go inside what was described as a “house of horrors” and said she “immediately” noticed a smell and flies everywhere.

Squalid conditions in which the RSPCA discovered two dead cats belonging to Liverpool woman Mandy Swash

Describing the conditions at the property, inspector Showering said in a witness statement: “Inside there were boxes and bags piled high making it difficult to see the floor. I had to stand on rubbish and cat litter in order to go up the stairs.

“The bathroom was in a filthy state with items covering the floor and inside the bath. The door of the back bedroom was off the hinges and resting against bags and the bed behind it.

“The window was partially obscured by piles of bags and there were many flies and fleas in the room. The landing was blocked by more items so I had to climb over these to reach the other two bedrooms.

“Inside the front larger bedroom, the bed was heavily soiled by faeces. I had to stand on rubbish just to get into the room. Inside the kitchen, I was again unable to see the floor due to the amount of rubbish.

“There was faeces and empty food packets, plastic and empty soiled bowls and litter trays. The kitchen itself was also filthy, with piles of faeces stacked up next to the sink and on the work surfaces.”

Sadly, in the living room and rear bedrooms, the RSPCA officer found the bodies of the two dead cats.

Squalid conditions in which the RSPCA discovered two dead cats belonging to Liverpool woman Mandy Swash

Ms Showering said: “In the lounge area, I saw a black bin bag over the top of one of the boxes. The letting agent informed me that he had spoken with Swash who told him that one of the dead cats was in a box in the lounge so I removed the box outside and found the body of a black domestic shorthaired cat inside.

“The cat appeared to have had a head injury and trauma to the eye area. In the rear bedroom, I saw a large number of fleas jumping on a blanket to the left of the door. I removed the blanket and discovered the body of a black domestic short-haired cat which appeared underweight and also had a flea infestation.”

It is believed the cat in the living room had suffered head injuries following a road traffic accident.

After the inspector left the home, more than 185 bites appeared over her body, which she said was the “worst case” of flea bites she had suffered in her 13 year career.

She said: “This was an incredibly sad case which resulted in the neglect and suffering of multiple cats.

“These cats were not provided with a suitable environment in which to live due to the heavily soiled litter trays, a heavy build up of cat faeces on work surfaces, floors, beds and soft furnishings and unsafe living conditions due to the hoarding of items such as plastic bags, and stacked items, causing potential trapping or injury hazards.

“There were no safe, comfortable, clean places in which the cats could rest. The environment was such that it would be more difficult to spot an injured cat easily. They were heavily infested with fleas and there was a build-up of faeces and detritus which would create a breeding ground for disease.”

Swash also had two female black and white cats who had been moved out of the property previously. The cats – Maud, two, and Mabel, seven – appeared in normal bodily condition and no further issues were raised.

Maud and Mabel have remained in Swash’s care and are well looked after, receiving regular vet checks and flea treatment.

Swash was sentenced at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, January 4, 2024, where she was proven guilty in her absence.

In mitigation, the court heard how her personal circumstances are different now in terms of mental health and therefore no disqualification order was imposed.

Sentencing | 12 month community order with 20 days of rehab; eight-week curfew mental health treatment requirement; £1,250 in costs plus £114 victim surcharge. No ban.

Liverpool Echo
National World

Dogs

St Austell, Cornwall: Ross Stone

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CONVICTED (2023) | Ross Jan Stone, born March 1983, of Trenance Downs, St. Austell, PL25 5RH – for cruelty to his pet lurcher.

Animal abuser: Ross Stone from St Austell, Cornwall. Image: Facebook

Stone, drug dealer once implicated in a 2012 double murder case, who was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to the tan lurcher-type dog, known as Taz, by failing to investigate and address the causes of her poor bodily condition and weight loss.

He was convicted on one count of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and one count of failing to ensure the welfare of an animal for which he was responsible.

The offences took place between June 20 and July 20, 2022, in St Austell.

It has not been reported if the dog survived.

Stone pleaded not guilty to both offences but was eventually found guilty.

Sentencing | eight-week curfew; mental health treatment; rehabilitation; costs of £1,040 and victim surcharge of £114. No mention of a ban.

Falmouth Packet

Dogs, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers

Dunfermline, Fife: Stuart Connolly

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CONVICTED (2023) | Stuart Connolly, born c. 1991, of Headwell Avenue, Dunfermline KY12 0JY but with family links to the Fife village of Oakley- “accidentally stood” on his puppy and left her with an untreated broken leg for days.

Animal abuser and junkie Stuart Connolly from Dunfermline, Fife, pictured outside court
Stuart Connolly pictured outside court. Photo credit: Courier

Persistent petty criminal Connolly’s unnamed Staffy-type pup was only taken to the vet after police went to his house with a search warrant on February 21, 2022.

He was caught that day with more than 10g of heroin at his Headwell Avenue home.

He appeared at Dunfermline Sheriff Court for sentencing, having earlier admitted drug possession and failing to take reasonable steps to ensure the needs of the animal were met to the extent required by good practice.

Prosecutor Laura McManus told the court police went to Connolly’s home to execute a search warrant and found it in disarray.

Officers found a very small puppy resembling a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, who seemed to be walking irregularly, with her right hip protruding.

The fiscal said: “When asked about the pup he stated he stood on it accidentally about five days ago and intended getting it to the vet at some point but because the dog could walk on it he was not overly concerned and stated he had saved up to buy the dog.”

An x-ray of the animal showed there was a leg fracture and the vet said the injury was about two weeks old.

The vet said the break appeared to be healing and no treatment was thought to be necessary but the dog should have received medical treatment at the time to fix the injury with pins.

Ms McManus continued: “It was apparent the accused did not particularly think his behaviour had caused unnecessary suffering to the animal.”

Animal abuser and junkie Stuart Connolly from Dunfermline, Fife

The fiscal depute said police also found 10.7g of heroin inside silver wraps in a Kinder egg and other plastic wraps, with an estimated value of £550.

Defence lawyer Alan Davie said Connolly does not have the dog anymore as the Scottish SPCA removed her from him.

The solicitor said his client had bought the dog and ensured she had vaccinations about two weeks before the offence.

Mr Davie said after Connolly stepped on the dog he noticed she had a limp and did not appreciate how serious a case it was and, rather than address the issue immediately, he waited to see if it would improve.

Mr Davie said Connolly was a heroin addict and at the time of offending was using a considerable quantity – now reduced from two-to-three grammes per day to 0.3g per day.

The fiscal depute called for a court disqualification order in relation to Connolly keeping animals.

Mr Davie said Connolly would be opposed to this and has now got another dog which he has had for eight months.

The solicitor said the offence, though serious, was nearly two years old and his client seems to have looked after the new dog.

Sheriff Francis Gill sentenced Connolly to a 145-day curfew order but was persuaded a disqualification order is not necessary.

Connolly thanked the sheriff as he left court.

Sentencing | meaningless 145-day curfew order and no ban.

Courier

Animal Abandonment, Dogs, Worst of the Worst

Wythenshawe, Manchester: Paul Roberts

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CONVICTED (2023) | Paul James Roberts, aka Paul Wood or Paul Bennett, born c. 1981, of Broadoak Road, Wythenshawe, Manchester – starved his loyal family dog to death over several weeks.

Dog killer Paul Roberts aka Paul Wood from Wythenshawe, Manchester. Image: TikTok

Roberts, who runs a hard landscaping business called Revolution Custom Landscapes, pleaded guilty to two charges of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, namely that he failed to ensure the eight-year-old dog, Delboy, was provided with adequate nutrition and failed to investigate and address his poor condition and weight loss.

Delboy was slowly starved to death by Paul James Roberts from Wythenshawe, Manchester.
Tragic dog Delboy before his owner decided to starve him to death
Delboy was a much-loved family pet

Roberts was prosecuted by the RSPCA after Delboy was taken dead to a veterinary practice on February 22, 2022. He weighed just 27.1 pounds and pictures (not published in the source article, the Manchester Evening News, due to their upsetting nature) show his emaciated condition that a post-mortem examination concluded was due to starvation.

Delboy was slowly starved to death by Paul James Roberts from Wythenshawe, Manchester.
Roberts had owned Delboy since he was a puppy

The RSPCA said the court heard how Delboy was collected alive from Roberts’ home on 21 February by someone who knew the defendant after it was reported the dog had ‘been starved and wasn’t in a good state’. He died overnight before he could be seen by a vet.

An investigation was then launched by the RSPCA. One vet said in evidence: “Delboy’s physical condition on presentation was emotionally distressing and upset a number of staff members.”

Dog killer Paul Roberts aka Paul Wood from Wythenshawe, Manchester. Image: TikTok

Speaking after the case, the RSPCA said: “The images of Delboy are so distressing and it is clear from them he had been woefully neglected for some considerable time.

“We would urge anyone who is struggling to look after their pets to seek appropriate help and advice in a timely manner. It is totally unacceptable to allow pets to deteriorate into the appalling condition that Delboy was found in.”

Sentencing | 21-month custodial, suspended for two years; four-month curfew. Disqualified from keeping any animal as a pet for 10 years (expires November 2033).

Manchester Evening News

Additional Information

Paul Wood is active on TikTok, where he uploads videos promoting his hard landscaping business and others showing zany miming and dancing performances. His usernames are goofystyle1 and revolutioncustom (the latter account is currently deactivated).

Wood’s apparently successful business, which he promotes as ‘Revolution Custom Landscapes Ltd’ (there is no trace of this ‘company’ on Companies House), offers flagging, fencing, blockpaving, turfing, pressure cleaning and regrouting.

Dogs, Organised Animal Crime, Pet Profiteering, puppy farmers / traffickers, kennels, backyard breeders, Serial Animal Abusers, Traveller Animal Crimes, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports

Lytchett Matravers, Dorset: Mark Mabey

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CONVICTED (2023) | backyard breeder Mark Amos Mabey, born c. 1964, of Bridge Close, Peatons Lane, Lytchett Matravers, Poole BH16 6HW – for cruelty to 11 severely neglected dogs kept in poor conditions.

Dorset animal abuser: Mark Mabey of Lytchett Matravers near Poole
Photo credit: Dorset Police Rural Crime Team

Mark Amos Mabey, who is from a notorious Dorset-based traveller family, pleaded guilty to 11 counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.

Mabey, who has previous for wildlife crime, was prosecuted alongside others* after police paid him a visit on 26 November 2022 and found 11 dogs living in poor conditions. A vet certified the animals to be suffering and they were seized by police under the Animal Welfare Act.

Dorset animal abuser: Mark Mabey of Lytchett Matravers near Poole

Alongside a suspended prison sentence and curfew order, Mabey is disqualified from having anything to do with dogs for the next seven years. This prohibits him from:

  • Owning dogs
  • Keeping dogs whether on a temporary or permanent basis
  • Participating in the keeping of dogs
  • Allowing any dogs to be kept at his residence or any property to which the defendant has control or ownership of
  • Being party to an arrangement under which he is entitled to control or influence the way in which dogs are kept
  • Participating in the sale or exchange of dogs
  • Transporting or arranging the transportation of dogs

PC Sebastian Haggett, of the Dorset Police Rural Crime Team, said:

“Mabey was responsible for causing unnecessary suffering to a significant number of dogs.

“As part of our proactive work, we ensured that the dogs have all since been lovingly rehomed and are being well looked after.

“I am pleased that the disqualification order was granted over an extended period of time to prevent Mabey from causing further harm to any dogs. This is an essential bit of legislation that can be used to protect animals.

“I would urge members of the public to please contact Dorset Police if they are aware of Mabey contravening the terms of his order.”

Sentencing | five-month custodial suspended for 18 months; five-month tagging order; 60 hours of unpaid work. Seven-year ban in relation to dogs only (expires October 2030).

Planet Radio

*The following relatives/close associates of Mark Mabey were originally charged alongside him in relation to the same 11 dogs:

Dorset animal abusersl: travellers Lewis Longstaffe, Jay-Lee Arnold, Lee Mabey, Tani Mabey
Clockwise from top left Lewis Longstaffe, Jay-Lee Arnold, Lee Mabey, Tani Mabey
Lee Mabey suspected puppy farmer and animal abuser
Charges against Lee Mabey and two other suspects have been dropped

We are advised that the prosecution offered no evidence against Jay-Lee Arnold, Kylie Davies and Lee Mabey and the charges against them have been dropped.

Dogs, hare coursing, hunting with dogs, Traveller Animal Crimes, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports

Hampshire Hare Coursing Ring: Leonard Pinnick, Shane and Lloyd Jefferies, Martin Buckland Jr and Sr

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CONVICTED | for hare coursing: Hampshire travellers Leonard Pinnick, born 25 December 1986, of 83 Montgomery Road, Bitterne, Southampton SO18 4RX, Shane Jefferies, born c. 1996, of 3 Hornbeam Close, Botley, Southampton SO30 2SZ, Lloyd Jefferies, born 18 March 1988, of Tanhouse Lane, Botley, Southampton SO30 2SZ, Martin Eli Buckland born c. 1983, and Martin Tony Buckland, born 13 December 2003, of Church Farm, Hound Road, Netley Abbey, Southampton SO31 5JS

Busted: Hampshire hare coursing ring comprising travellers Leonard Pinnick, Shane Jefferies, Lloyd Jeffries, Martin Eli Buckland, Martin Tony Buckland

The five travellers were sentenced for hare coursing offences under sections 63 and 64 of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022.

This is the first time Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary has secured charges and convictions under this particular legislation since it was introduced in April 2022.

On the evening of 18 January, 2023, police received a report that a group of people had driven onto farmland in the Itchen Abbas area of Winchester, damaging crops in the process, before they began hare coursing in a field.

Officers were deployed to the area and located the vehicles – a Mercedes and a Jeep – before the Jeep reversed and collided with a police car.

Once police detained the Jeep’s occupants, the vehicle was searched and officers located three lurcher dogs, five dead hares, bolt croppers and a lamp.

The Mercedes meanwhile left the scene and was followed by police to Southampton where the occupants were detained.

Inside the vehicle were two more lurcher dogs, two dead rabbits, a slingshot and a lamp.

Following enquiries, five people were charged with offences and pleaded guilty in Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 3 August:

  • Leonard Pinnick pleaded guilty to trespass with intent to search for or to pursue hares with dogs, and being equipped for searching for or pursuing hares with dogs.
  • Shane Jefferies pleaded guilty to trespass with intent to search for or to pursue hares with dogs, and being equipped for searching for or pursuing hares with dogs.
  • Lloyd Jefferies pleaded guilty to trespass with intent to search for or to pursue hares with dogs, being equipped for searching for or pursuing hares with dogs, criminal damage, and dangerous driving.
  • Martin Tony Buckland pleaded guilty to trespass with intent to search for or to pursue hares with dogs, and being equipped for searching for or pursuing hares with dogs.
  • Martin Eli Buckland pleaded guilty to trespass with intent to search for or to pursue hares with dogs, being equipped for searching for or pursuing hares with dogs, criminal damage, and dangerous driving.

Appearing at the same court on Monday 25 September, 2023, Lloyd Jefferies and Martin Eli Buckland were ordered to pay £550 compensation each to the landowner, covering the full £1,100 worth of damage caused to the crops.

Jefferies was also handed a 12 month driving ban with a requirement to complete an extended retest, a two year ban on owning dogs, a 12 month community order with a requirement to complete 200 hours unpaid work, and was ordered to pay £100 kennelling costs for the seized dogs, £85 court costs and a £114 victim surcharge.

Buckland was subject to the same costs and surcharge, as well as the same driving disqualification and dog ban. He was also handed a 12 month community order with a requirement to complete 50 hours unpaid work.

The vehicles’ passengers were sentenced as follows:

Martin Tony Buckland was handed a 12 month community order with a requirement to complete 40 hours unpaid work, a £40 fine, £100 kennelling costs, £85 court costs, £114 victim surcharge, and banned from owning dogs for two years.

Shane Jefferies was handed a 12 week curfew, a 12 month community order with a requirement to complete 40 hours unpaid work, a £40 fine, £100 kennelling costs, £85 court costs, £114 victim surcharge, and banned from owning dogs for two years.

Leonard Pinnick was handed an 18 month community order with a requirement to complete 60 hours unpaid work and attend a ‘Thinking & Skills Programme’. He was also ordered to pay a £40 fine, £100 kennelling costs, £85 court costs, £114 victim surcharge, and banned from owning dogs for two years.

The kennelling costs were recovered from all the defendants under Section 65 of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act which was introduced last year.

Another passenger, a 17-year-old boy, was also arrested by police, and officers continue to work with the Youth Offending Team to reach a suitable outcome for him.

Police Staff Investigator Andrew Williams, from the Country Watch team, said: “Hare coursing is a scourge on our rural communities. It involves the senseless persecution of wildlife, whilst also making life miserable for innocent farmers and landowners, who suffer trespass and damage to their property which accompanies this type of offending.

“The Country Watch team take a very robust stance against hare coursing, and will do everything in our power to respond to reports, assist landowners and target the criminals responsible.

“Last year new legislation was introduced which is bolstering the police’s efforts to target hare coursers, bring them to justice and recover costs from them. I hope rural communities can be reassured that we are making the most of this legislation.

“We are coming into autumn now where we see the bulk of annual hare coursing reports. Please remain vigilant, and report any suspicious people or vehicles on private land to police. If a crime is in progress, dial 999.”

Hampshire Police

Animal Abandonment, Dogs, Multiple Species, rabbits, Serial Animal Abusers, Small Furries

Denny, Falkirk: Jackson Aitken

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CONVICTED (2023) | Jackson Lewis Aitken, born c. 2000, of 210 Braes View, Denny, Falkirk FK6 5NF: for the neglect of multiple animals found suffering and in pain at his filthy home.

Animal abuser Jackson Aitken, who also goes by the name Jackson Aitken-Dunlop, from Denny, Falkirk, Scotland. Image: Facebook
Jackson Aitken, who also goes by the name Jackson Aitken-Dunlop, was already well-known to the SSPCA

Aitken plead guilty to cruelty charges in relation to mice, a hamster, a rabbit and a dog.

He admitted failing to provide vet treatment for a mouse named Miko and failing to provide adequate hydration and a clean environment for a hamster named Spirit, a rabbit, a number of mice and his dog, Digger. He also pleaded guilty to failing to allow Digger adequate room to exercise.

Digger was neglected by Jackson Aitken, who also goes by the name Jackson Aitken-Dunlop, from Denny, Falkirk, Scotland. Image: Facebook
Aitken’s dog Digger was kept in a tiny cage with dirty water for drinking

Scottish SPCA inspector, Andrew Gray, said, “We had attended Jackson Aitken’s address on two prior occasions in June 2019 and January 2022.

On both occasions we provided Aitken with advice and support on how to care for his animals but had no immediate concerns for their welfare.

“However, on 29 July 2022 we then received another call regarding Jackson Aitken from a member of the public who was concerned his animals were being left alone for days at a time.

“We attended the property but no one was home and we could not hear or see any animals. We continued to try to make contact with Aitken over the coming days but we were unsuccessful.

Animal abuser Jackson Aitken, who also goes by the name Jackson Aitken-Dunlop, from Denny, Falkirk, Scotland. Image: Facebook

“On 1 August when we attended a small black dog could be seen through the letterbox. The dog was in a crate. On subsequent visits on 2 and 3 August the dog was still in the crate and we became concerned for the animal’s welfare. Contact was then made with the local housing officer to gain access to the premises.

“On entering the property we found it was cluttered with rubbish and hazardous materials. Digger, a small black and white terrier type dog, was still in the small cage. He had a pillow and a small amount of dirty water.

“Upstairs we found a white and tan hamster, named Sprit, who was very lethargic and cold to the touch, as well as a rabbit and three mice. While two of the mice were in reasonable condition, one male mouse, named Miko, had a large open wound on his side.

“All of the cages for the animals were dirty and none of them had been provided with any food or water.

“Due to immediate concerns for the welfare of the animals, we removed them from the property and took them to be examined by a vet.

“The wound on Miko’s side was found to be an abscess, secondary to a ruptured tumour, and had likely been causing the mouse pain for several weeks, if not months. He was euthanised on veterinary advice to prevent any further suffering.

Animal abuser Jackson Aitken, who also goes by the name Jackson Aitken-Dunlop, from Denny, Falkirk, Scotland. Image: Facebook

“Spirit the hamster was severely dehydrated, which the vet estimated would have taken at least a week without water, if not longer. Sadly, despite the best efforts of the team at our animal rescue and rehoming centre, Spirit continued to suffer complications from dehydration and had to be put to sleep on veterinary advice.

“Aitken met with us on one subsequent visit to the property but all further attempts to contact him have failed to be met with any response.

“We are glad Aitken received a ban and hope he will seriously consider his ability to care for any animal in future.”

Sentencing | three-year supervision order and eight-month restriction of liberty order; 15-year ban on owning animals.

Scottish SPCA News