Tag Archives: Derbyshire

Animal Sanctuaries from Hell, Equine Abuse, Hoarders, horses and ponies, Lifers, Multiple Species, Worst of the Worst

Hyde, Greater Manchester: Lynn and Charlotte Haydon-Williams

April 15, 2024 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2024) | Lynn Haydon-Williams, born 6 April 1960, of Redgate, Hyde SK14 5DE, and Charlotte Haydon-Williams, born 17 November 1988, of Cheetham Fold Road, Hyde SK14 5DF – for the neglect of multiple animals in the care of their sanctuary.

RSPCA prosecution of Lynn Haydon-Williams and daughter Charlotte Haydon-Williams from Hyde, Greater Manchester in relation to Haywill Animal Rescue.

Mother and daughter Lynn and Charlotte Haydon-Williams were found guilty of a number of offences following a trial on Thursday, March 28, 2024.

The court heard how neglected horses, including one suffering with multiple tumours, lame goats, pigs with hoof problems and an arthritic coatimundi were found at the Haywill Animal Centre by the RSPCA.

During 2020 and 2021, the RSPCA identified animal welfare concerns at sites in Glossop, Derbyshire and Broadbottom in Manchester.

The RSPCA had visited the rescue on previous occasions during which they had offered support and advice to the founder/owner Lynn Haydon-Williams.

In a statement read to the court RSPCA inspector Jessica Araujo said she recalled attending the centre on May 11, 2021, when she saw “goats with overgrown feet that were struggling to walk normally, grossly obese pigs, a coati that appeared to have small masses on its underside and a horse with overgrown feet”.

Inspector Araujo continued: “I saw a number of large goats with overgrown hooves that appeared to have difficulty walking normally or walking at all. There was also a black pygmy goat who looked quite thin and you could feel his spine and hips when you put your hands on him.”

Among the animals taken into the care of the RSPCA was Gemma, a grey bay mare, who was covered in skin tumours. A vet later decided that the kindest course of action was to put her to sleep to end her suffering.

Another horse, called Casper, who was suffering from laminitis was also, sadly, put to sleep, as was a pot-bellied pig, who was suffering from overgrown feet.

An emaciated pygmy goat and the coatimundi, who was in poor health, passed away later.

Several of the horses required treatment for foot and hoof ailments.

In mitigation for Lynn Haydon-Williams, the court was told she previously did “a lot of good work for many people for a long time”. It was said that Covid impacted the rescue’s finances and lessened her ability to look after the animals. It was said that she had not deliberately mistreated the animals.

The court heard that Charlotte Haydon-Williams suffered from health problems which affected her care of the horse. The court accepted she was not responsible for the care of the other animals.

Lynn Haydon-Williams initially pleaded not guilty to 15 charges, but she was convicted of 13 offences after a trial.

Charlotte Haydon-Williams pleaded not guilty to the same 15 charges and was convicted of three offences relating to the care of a horse. It was ruled she had no case to answer on the remaining 12 charges.

The surviving animals – a horse and 10 goats – will be rehomed by the RSPCA.

Speaking after the sentencing, Inspector Araujo said: “This owner was given ample time and opportunity to get the help she needed to give these animals the veterinary care and treatment they needed. Sadly, she did not take action and the animals suffered for longer than they had to.”

Sentencing |
Lynn Haydon-Williams: six-month custodial suspended for 18 months; 240 hours of unpaid work; £240 costs and £156 victim surcharge. She was given a lifetime disqualification from keeping animals except for dogs and cats.

Charlotte Haydon-Williams: 12-month community order; fined £1,500 and ordered to pay £1,000 costs and £114 victim surcharge. Banned from keeping horses for three years (expires March 2027).

DerbyshireLive
Manchester Evening News
Quest Media Network

Dogs, Organised Animal Crime, Pet Profiteering, puppy farmers / traffickers, kennels, backyard breeders

Derbyshire puppy farmers Stephen Buxton, Susan Heath, Oliver Lucas

March 4, 2024 misanthropic 3 Comments

CONVICTED (2024) | Stephen Buxton of the Breach Cottage, Breach Lane, Sudbury, Ashbourne DE6 5HH, Susan Heath of 61 Foss Road, Hilton, Derby DE65 5BJ, and Oliver Lucas of Sudbury Park, Sudbury, Ashbourne DE6 5HU – ran an unlicensed puppy farm on which 28 dogs and puppies were kept in filthy and unsanitary conditions.

South Derbyshire District Council prosecution of cruel and greedy puppy farmers Stephen Buxton, Susan Heath and Oliver Lucas — Susan Heath and Stephen Buxton

Puppy farmer Oliver Lucas from Ashbourne, Derbyshire. — Oliver Lucas

In 2020 officers from South Derbyshire District Council were notified that dogs were being bred at the family home of Stephen Buxton without the necessary breeding licence. When council officers contacted Buxton, he denied this but was reminded of the legal obligations.

In 2021 council officers received intelligence that dogs were being sold on social media by owners using different names, but all based at Buxton’s address. A court warrant was obtained by the council and officers visited the premises on June 7, 2022.

A total of 28 adult dogs and pups were found in agricultural buildings at the site.

Conditions were found to be cluttered and dirty, with extensive faecal and urine contamination. The premises was infested with flies and a dead rat was sighted .

The odour in the building was described as overpowering.

All of the dogs at the site were observed to be anxious, wary and in some cases afraid of contact with humans.

Using powers granted under animal welfare legislation, council officers seized the dogs and transported them to a local kennels. Veterinary examination determined that they had all been neglected for a lengthy period

Three weeks after the warrant, all of the dogs were signed over to the legal control of the local authority.

All of the animals were returned to full health and were found permanent homes.

Following the council’s investigation, three people were charged with offences relating to unauthorised breeding of dogs and animal welfare offences. All three pleaded guilty to these offences.

Stephen Buxton admitted one offence of causing unnecessary suffering, nine offences of failing to ensure welfare and two offences of breeding without a licence. He was sentenced to a 12-month community order with 190 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay £114 victim surcharge and £5,000 contribution towards the prosecution costs.

Oliver Lucas admitted two offences of causing unnecessary suffering, three offences of failing to ensure welfare and one offence of breeding without a licence. He was sentenced to a 12-month community order with 100 hours unpaid work, ordered to pay a £114 victim surcharge and £2,000 contribution to the prosecution costs.

Susan Heath pleaded guilty to breeding without a licence and was fined £180. She was also ordered to pay a £72 victim surcharge and £400 towards the prosecution costs.

District Judge Flint remarked that they had prioritised money over animal welfare and should be ashamed of the conditions in which they kept the dogs. . He held Buxton as most responsible and the chief protagonist, as it was his property and he clearly knew that he should have been licensed. The judge commented that if he had been found guilty after trial, he would have looked at sending him to prison.

DerbyshireLive

Animal Abandonment, animal fighting / baiting, Dogs, hare coursing, hunting with dogs, Multiple Species, Pet Profiteering, puppy farmers / traffickers, kennels, backyard breeders, rabbits, Small Furries, Traveller Animal Crimes, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports, Worst of the Worst

Shirebrook, Derbyshire: Brian Birch

October 16, 2023 misanthropic 3 Comments

CONVICTED (2023) | backyard breeder / wildlife persecutor Brian Birch, born 17 September 1993, of Ash Grove, Shirebrook, Mansfield NG20 8QA – kept 17 injured, flea- and worm-riddled dogs in filthy conditions and allowed multiple ferrets to starve to death.

Animal abuser Brian Birch from Shirebrook, Derbyshire. Picture: Facebook — Monstrous animal abuser Brian Birch from Shirebrook, Derbyshire, was allowed to keep one Jack Russell dog

In September 2022 officers from the Shirebrook Safer Neighbourhood Team were called to the home Birch shares with partner Kayleigh Iles, born 19 August 1994, who was also charged originally.

Shirebrook woman Kayleigh Iles also faced dog cruelty charges. Image: Facebook — Despite living at the property where 17 neglected dogs had been callously mistreated, Birch’s partner Kayleigh Iles had the charges against her dropped

Officers found 17 dogs of various breeds living in filthy conditions, with faeces and urine covering the garden.

The animals were seized and taken to kennels.

They were found to be riddled with fleas, they had bleeding paws and were suffering with worms.

Police say as well as the dogs, they also seized two rabbits and two malnourished ferrets.

They found the bodies of between five and ten dead ferrets piled on top of one another in the ferret cage.

Fourteen of the dogs have been rehomed, but two had to be put down.

The two rabbits and two ferrets seized were taken by the RSPCA.

The court allowed him to keep one dog

Birch initially denied any wrongdoing.

He eventually pleaded guilty to failing to ensure the welfare of an animal, and causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.

No evidence was offered for the same charges against Iles and these were dropped at court.

Sentencing | 25-week prison sentence suspended for 24 months; ordered to pay £4,000 Banned from keeping animals for 15 years, except for an unfortunate Jack Russell who the court allowed him to keep.

ITV News

Additional Information

Birch has a home improvement business called Midland Property Maintenance.

Midland Property Maintenance is owned by convicted animal abuser Brian Birch from Shirebrook, Derbyshire

Dogs, Lifers, Serial Animal Abusers, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers, Worst of the Worst

Ilkeston, Derbyshire: Eddy Casey

June 2, 2023 misanthropic 3 Comments

CONVICTED (2023) | Edward G Casey, born 14 May 1985, of 21 Ebenezer Street, Ilkeston DE7 8JG – hit a dog so hard he injured his own hand.

Violent dog abuser Eddy Casey from Ilkeston, Derbyshire. Picture: Facebook — Repeat offender: Eddy Casey was already banned from keeping animals for life following a 2015 conviction for horrific cruelty to an elderly King Charles spaniel

Casey was seen viciously kicking the Staffy, Patch, before punching him with such force that he need hospital treatment to his hand. The ill-tempered thug was caught on camera shouting at the dog on two occasions following the attacks in June 2022.

In an upsetting video sent to the RSPCA, Casey was shown screaming at the dog before kicking him under the chin and immediately punching him with his right hand so hard that the defendant was left wincing in pain.

Patch endured regular beatings while in the care of serial animal abuser Eddy Casey from Ilkeston — Patch endured regular beatings while in the care of serial animal abuser Eddy Casey

The RSPCA was later told that Casey was hospitalised for tissue damage treatment claiming food cans had fallen on his hand.

Another video showed Patch waiting at a partially opened door and, as Casey told the dog to go to his bed, he was seen to “very forcefully” kick him twice as the poor animal fled the room.

A court heard Casey was already in breach on a previous order not to keep animals when he attacked Patch.

A vet who examined Patch said he was “quiet and nervous” and reluctant to allow a hand to go over his head. She described how, viewing the footage, when Patch was punched he appeared to “know that he can not get away and stays in position”.

She added: “He appears to, in my opinion, expect the act of punishment and waits for it, knowing that whatever he does the outcome will be the same.

“In my professional opinion the person in the video footage is causing unnecessary distress and suffering to the dog by causing him to be fearful and anxious in the first instance.

“I would not expect a normal owner to treat any dog in this manner. It is a fundamental part of dog husbandry that an owner or person responsible for a dog should not hit or beat them or physically punish them in this way.”

Casey admitted causing unnecessary suffering to an animal and was given a 26-week custodial term.

Patch has since been re-homed at Block Fen Animal Centre. Centre manager Sally Jones said: “Patch had been through a terrible ordeal but he was such a happy, friendly and resilient boy.”

Sentencing | jailed for 26 weeks. Casey is already banned for life from keeping animals following a conviction in April 2015 in relation to an elderly King Charles spaniel found crawling with fleas and unable to stand.

ITV News
Derbyshire Times

guinea pigs, Hoarders, Multiple Species, rabbits, Small Furries

Oakwood, Derby: Tania Walker

April 16, 2023 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2023) | pet hoarder Tania Walker, born 14 May 1964, of Meadow View Close, Oakwood, Derby DE21 2UL – kept 16 rabbits and guinea pigs in a dirty, rat-infested garage.

Animal abuser and hoarder Tania Walker from Derby, UK — Driving instructor Tania Walker, who the court heard found it hard to say no, to others took on more animals than she could properly care for and kept them in poor conditions. Image source: Facebook, Tania Walker

Walker, a self-employed driving instructor, pleaded guilty to cruelty charges in relation to eight rabbits and eight guinea pigs kept inside the cluttered, unsanitary garage.

The animals were roaming freely inside the building which was littered with old, soiled hay and thick, hard faeces stuck to the floor.

Rat droppings were visible on many surfaces and the rodents could also be heard moving about in the roof space overhead when RSPCA officers investigated a welfare concern on May 25, 2022.

Derby pet hoarder Tania Walker kept rabbits and guinea pigs in poor conditions and failed to feed them a proper diet — A vet estimated that some of Tania Walker’s animals had been suffering for at least two months

All of the guinea pigs were unneutered males with many of them suffering bite wounds to their faces, ears and hindquarters.

No clean areas had been provided for the animals. Instead, fresh bedding had been put on top of older soiled material which was becoming deeper and more compacted. Most of the floor and nesting areas were covered in rabbit and guinea pig faeces.

There was a smelly, damp and soiled hay bale in the corner of the garage while, outside, bags of dirty bedding were piled high. .

Around 25 kilograms of carrots – which are high in sugar and should only be fed to rabbits and guinea pigs in small amounts – had been tipped onto the floor in a huge pile on top of the faeces, along with around 10 kg of rabbit nuggets.

Rat droppings were seen on surfaces inside the garage, including a table and on the lids of two barrels, although it was hard to determine whether there were any on the floor due to the large amount of other faeces and rabbit pellets.

Sadly one guinea pig had died after being bitten by a rat. A dead rabbit was also found at the scene.

RSPCA Inspector Rachel Leafe, who had attended the scene, told the court “I saw a deceased rabbit by the side of the garage which was wrapped loosely in a bag.

“The rabbit looked to have died recently. One of its eyes was missing completely from the socket. There was a large gaping hole in the side of the neck and another on the stomach. I was concerned the rabbit had been attacked by another rabbit or rats.

“I could see several guinea pigs that had issues from just observing them on the floor. Two looked to have sore eyes which were partially shut.

Two others appeared lame and I also noted several with fur loss and what looked like bites or skin irritation. Several of the rabbits and guinea pigs had tears in their ears.”

The court heard how the inspector attended the premises again the following day accompanied by a vet who decided it was too unsafe for the animals to stay there and all were likely to suffer if their circumstances did not change.

Upon veterinary examination, the guinea pigs were found to be suffering from bite wounds, open lesions, fur loss, lameness and torn ears and the rabbits also had bite wounds, infected and damaged ears, sores and excessively long nails.

In her evidence, the vet told the court: “It is my opinion that the owner had not taken enough precautions to keep these animals safe from predation. In this instance, from rats and housing multiple unneutered same-sex animals together.

“Due to healed wounds and ripped ears on the vast majority of them, care and management towards these animals have been poor and in my opinion some of these animals would have likely been suffering for in excess of two months.”

In mitigation the court heard that Walker had looked after and taken in animals for decades – including a dog from abroad who she still had. While it was conceded that the care Walker had provided for the 16 rabbits and guinea pigs had been poor, she sometimes found it hard to say no to taking in homeless animals.

The surviving animals went to RSPCA animal centres in Derby and Burton to be rehomed.

Sentencing | 18-month community order; £5,000 costs and £95 victim surcharge. Banned from keeping all animals except dogs for 10 years (expires April 2033).

Derbyshire Live

Animal Torture, Dogs, Lifers, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers, Worst of the Worst

Codnor, Derbyshire: Izzac Campbell

March 18, 2023 misanthropic 3 Comments

CONVICTED (2023) | Izzac Ashley Campbell, aka Izzac Weeks, born 30 August 1993, of 8 Highfields, Codnor, Ripley DE5 9SB – for systematic cruelty to two puppies found with stab wounds, cigarette burns and scalding injuries.

Izzac Campbell subjected his two dogs to a campaign of sadistic cruelty

Career crook Izzac Campbell, who as of August 2018 had racked up 33 convictions for 73 offences and has possible links to organised crime, was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to six-month-old bull terriers Sian and Frankie.

Derbyshire man Isaac Campbell stabbed his two bull terrier puppies, scalded them with hot liquid and stubbed cigarettes out on them — Campbell stabbed the puppies, scalded them with hot liquid and stubbed cigarettes out on them

The court heard how the RSPCA were called to Campbell’s family home in the village of Codnor to investigate a report of concern for the welfare of the two dogs, but the pets were not at the address.

The dogs were then traced to a property in Woodstock Avenue, Bobbers Mill, Nottingham NG7 5QP and taken into the RSPCA’s care. Both had suffered a catalogue of horrific injuries.

A vet who examined the dogs said: ‘On Frankie I found on the wrist a circular skin lesion next to a small healed skin lesion.

‘On the right toe was also an healed lesion of similar appearance, as these had healed with unhaired scar tissue they were older healed wounds of unknown cause but had the appearance of puncture wound or cigarette burn.

‘On the right side of face was a fresh circular wound close to the eye which was about 10 mms in diameter and was about 3-7 days old.

‘The wound on the face was deeper and more extensive such as a puncture wound by a sharp object.

‘The young female walking with a stiff, unsteady and laboured gait on her hindlegs. She was struggling to weight-bear.

‘There were skin scabs over her nose and throat, fresh flat skin lesions over her ribs and involving the armpit with painful crusts and reddened and ulcerated lesions in a distinctive ‘dribble’ pattern.’

The vet added: ‘The pattern and flat appearance of the skin lesions is consistent with liquid burns caused by hot liquid poured over her back from a height.

‘She exhibited pain reaction and skin hypersensitivity over her entire torso.’

RSPCA inspector Helen Mead, who interviewed Campbell, said in her witness statement: “I had very little in the way of explanation from Campbell about the dogs and what happened to Sian’s leg.

“He claimed her leg was getting better so it was not a problem. He also said that Sian had knocked a pan of boiling water over herself and that was why she had those wounds.

“Throughout the interview, Campbell refused to look at me, or even in my direction, choosing to sit with his grey/silver coat hood up and his side to me throughout.”

District Judge Johnathan Taff condemned Campbell’s actions as “sustained and systemic cruelty”.

He added: “The defendant caused unnecessary suffering – quite deliberately and then it was unforgivable not to seek immediate veterinary treatment for the injuries he caused.”

While in RSPCA care, both dogs sadly showed aggressive tendencies and attacked people involved in their treatment. After 18 months of unsuccessful behaviour therapy, with their aggression still evident and rehoming not an option, the decision was made to put them both to sleep for safety reasons.

RSPCA Inspector Rachel Leafe said: “Both Frankie and Sian had some awful untreated physical injuries which it appears to have affected them in their nature towards people.

“We worked really hard to try to rehabilitate these dogs but there was nothing else we could do – the whole thing has been a very sad and upsetting incident for all involved.”

Sentencing | Jailed for 16 weeks. £200 costs plus £122 victim surcharge. Indefinite ban on owning animals.

Derbyshire Times
NottinghamshireLive
Daily Mail

Additional Information

In August 2016 Campbell, then of Howick Drive, Bulwell, Nottingham appeared in court to face domestic violence charges in relation to a former partner. It was alleged that he hit the woman on the head with the flat side of a machete. He then allegedly forced his way into the woman’s house and ordered a man inside to strip and run down the street naked. He is then said to have smashed up the woman’s house. Campbell entered not guilty pleas to assault, occasioning actual bodily harm, causing £1,300 of damage to a TV, possession of a bladed article and witness intimidation. The case was sent to be heard at Nottingham Crown Court. Unfortunately the outcome was not reported online.

Source: Nottingham Post (retrieved from archive)

In August 2018 Campbell, aged 24 and now of Gilbert Avenue, St Ann’s, Nottingham, was jailed for nine months after being caught ransacking a convenience store he and accomplice Daniel Isaacs had burgled.

Police arrived on the scene to find the pair filling a large-style builder’s sack with cigarettes.

In court Campbell cited drug debts as the motivation for committing the burglary.

By this stage Campbell, who was described as a part-time mechanic, had 33 convictions for 73 offences on his record, ranging from house burglary to handling stolen goods.

NottinghamshireLive

In July 2021 Campbell appeared in court again charged with possession of a firearm. The charge followed the discovery of a makeshift gun factory in Marples Avenue, Mansfield Woodhouse, Nottinghamshire.

NottinghamshireLive

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

Swadlincote, South Derbyshire: Gary Vivers and Gillian Clarke

January 13, 2023 misanthropic 2 Comments

CONVICTED (2023) | backyard breeders Gary Vivers, born c. 1959, and Gill Clarke, born c. 1961, of Cedar Grove, Linton, Swadlincote DE12 6QQ – kept seven badly neglected dogs in filthy kennels

Greeder Gill Clarke was convicted of animal cruelty in relation to seven dogs kept in disgusting kennels by her and her partner Gary Vivers. Picture: Facebook — Greeder Gill Clarke was convicted of animal cruelty in relation to seven dogs kept in disgusting kennels by her and her partner Gary Vivers

The seven dogs, which included Irish water spaniels and a springer spaniel, had been subjected to prolonged neglect by their owners, hobby breeders Gary Vivers and Gill Clarke, causing them to suffer both physical and emotional harm.

The couple's dogs were in a state of distress due to months of neglect which had affected them physically and emotionally — The couple’s dogs were in a state of distress due to months of neglect which had impacted their physical and emotional well-being

Vivers, who’s originally from Bathgate in Scotland, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering and failing to ensure the needs of the animals were met.

Kennels where Gill Clarke and Gary Vivers kept seven neglected dogs

The judge said of Vivers that “he had been responsible for prolonged neglect and that he had caused the dogs a high level of suffering”.

His partner Clarke was found guilty after a trial of offences involving the unnecessary suffering of the dogs. She was cleared of the lesser offence of failing to ensure the needs of the animals were met.

Badly matted dog rescued from greeders Gary Vivers and Gill Clarke from Swadlincote, Derbyshire

The pair’s animal cruelty came to light in August 2021 after a complaint was made to South Derbyshire about the constant barking of several dogs kept in kennels. The complainant also stated that the premises smelled strongly of urine and that they were concerned about the environment in which the dogs were being kept.

Council officers visited later that day and saw that there were numerous kennels in the garden of the property containing seven dogs.

Dog rescued from greeders Gary Vivers and Gill Clarke from Swadlincote, Derbyshire

The kennels contained large accumulations of dog faeces, smelled strongly of urine and were in a poor structural condition with potential physical risks of harm to the animals.

Some of the dogs had severe matting of their fur and appeared to be in a poor physical and emotional condition.

Council officers decided that the welfare conditions were so poor that they needed to make the very exceptional use of animal welfare powers to take immediate possession of the dogs, which were taken into the care of a local dog kennels.

The dogs were examined by a vet the following day who said they had been neglected over a long period of time and agreed that the dogs needed to be taken into possession to prevent suffering.

An eighth dog was later removed from the property in September 2021.

All of the dogs recovered and were rehomed.

Sentencing |

Vivers was sentenced to 10 weeks in prison, which was suspended for 18 months, made the subject of a rehabilitation order and was banned from keeping animals for five years (expires January 2028).

Clarke was banned from keeping animals for just two years (expires January 2025).

The couple were ordered to pay fines and costs totalling £4, 816.

Staffordshire Live
Derby Telegraph

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

Ripley, Derbyshire: Connor Fell

November 5, 2022 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2022) | Connor Liam Fell, previously of Ripley, Derbyshire, but with strong ties to the Rivelin area of Sheffield – bred and sold puppies without a licence.

Fell, who is also a freelance shepherd and dog trainer, was pursued by Amber Valley Borough Council after they received information from the police concerning puppies being sold as pets from a residential address. But he repeatedly ignored letters and continued to breed and sell dogs online.

The case was eventually taken to court and Fell’s illicit activities were scuppered.

Connor Fell is well-known in breeding circles and there have been allegations of fraudulent activity against him

Amber Valley councillor Paul Hillier said: “In this case, the advice given to the defendant by our officers was ignored, which led to illegal activity continuing and this case being taken to court.

“Licensing of activities involving animals is an important way in which animal welfare standards are met and maintained. Achieving the appropriate standards of animal welfare is essential and the licensing regime ensures those standards are met.

“When individuals choose to operate without a licence, we take that seriously and will continue to take firm action to protect animal welfare.”

Sentencing | fined £778, ordered to pay £1,250 costs and told to pay a victim surcharge of £78.

Derby Telegraph

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

Heage, Derbyshire: Emily Matthews

September 7, 2022 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2022) | Emily Jade Matthews, born October 1997, of The Bent, Jacksons Lane, Heage, Belper DE56 2AA – for unlicensed dog breeding/pet profiteering.

Emily Matthews pictured with fiancé and co-director of Brook
Working Dogs, Chad Brooks

Matthews, co-director of Brook Working Dogs Ltd t/a Dog Training B.W.D., advertised puppies for thousands of pounds while unlicensed to do so, despite repeated warnings.

She advertised puppies of several breeds on the Pets 4 Homes website over a 12-month period.

Matthews was qualified to breed and train puppies but was not licenced to sell them. However, while she was not paid to advertise the dogs that were for sale, she did so on behalf of both herself and third parties between August 2020 and August 2021.

At a court hearing on Tuesday, September 6, 2022, Matthews changed her previous plea of not guilty to one of guilty to one charge of carrying on an activity without a licence under the Animal Welfare Act.

Annabel Lenton, prosecuting, told the court that Matthews worked for Brook Working Dogs and as part of her work was licenced to undertake a range of activities including scanning, microchipping and breeding dogs.

However, she posted on the Pets 4 Homes website about several border collie and blue whippet puppies being for sale, as well as puppies of other breeds, with Miss Lenton stating that money was received for these.

On September 28, 2020, following a complaint made by a member of the public on September 11, 2020, a letter was sent to Matthews by Amber Valley Borough Council explaining that a licence was needed to advertise or sell puppies, but no response was received.

On April 19, 2021, a further complaint was received after advertisements were seen for fox red Labrador puppies, which Matthews had bred herself, and border collies. These animals were worth a combined estimated total of £10,800.

Miss Lenton said: “She did receive money for both litters. Further adverts were then found a for a German Shepherd, and a part-trained sheepdog, which was for sale for £6,000.

“On April 1, 2021, another guidance letter was sent by the council but there was no response. On April 28, 2021, a further advert was found for German Shepherd puppies, which did not belong to Matthews, but she did advertise them. On June 8, 2021, Labrador puppies worth £4,200 were advertised.”

Miss Lenton said that an RSPCA visit to the Brook Working Dogs site had found multiple puppies, which were on sale both on their website and on Pets 4 Homes in adverts placed by Matthews. However, they found no welfare issues at the site and no charges were brought against Matthews regarding mistreatment.

John Last, representing Matthews, said that the defendant was simply unaware that a licence was needed and placed the adverts for friends and associates “out of kindness”. He added that “dogs are her whole life” and that she was now expecting a child with the owner of Brook Working Dogs, where she had worked for some time.

“This defendant has always accepted that she placed adverts for the sale of dogs on various websites. That has never been an issue.

“She was not told that [she needed to be licenced] in the letters, which she ignored, we can’t get away from that. She explained that she did not receive payment for, in effect, being someone who with administration for people who had puppies for sale.

“She got no money from it. She was not doing it for money, she was doing it because her whole life has been dealing with dogs. She trials nationally and internationally with German shepherds – dogs are her life.”

Sentencing, District Judge Jonathan Taaffe said: “I have to say to you, that I do take the view that you knew full well what you were doing throughout this period of time, and you ignored, deliberately, the correspondence from the council, burying your head and carrying on with these activities.

“But I have to accept that this is a case where there are no welfare issues before me. You face one charge and that is basically carrying out an unlicensed activity. I will sentence you on that charge.”

Sentencing | ordered to pay a £1,000 fine, £1,267 in costs and a £100 victim surcharge. Judge Taaffe stopped short of banning Matthews from keeping or working with dogs, despite a request from the prosecution for a disqualification order, due to there being no animal welfare concerns.

Derbyshire Live

Bestiality / Zoophilia, Dogs

Chellaston, Derby: Robert Hurley

September 4, 2022 misanthropic 2 Comments

CONVICTED (2022) | pervert Robert Hurley, born c. 1970, of Griffon Close, Chellaston, Derby DE73 5PB – filmed his dog performing sex acts on a woman and uploaded the footage to a bestiality website.

A court has heard that after police seized the footage and charged Hurley, he told a probation officers that it was “two consenting adults” engaging in the behaviour. Now, having been convicted, he has lost his job.

In court, district Judge Jonathan Taaffe said: “To describe this matter, as you did to (the probation officer) as ‘two consenting adult behind closed doors, what does it matter?’ displays an error of judgement at best and at worst degenerate and depraved behaviour. Any right-thinking person would see the type of behaviour you videoed and uploaded, even with the consent of the other person, as some form of abuse.

“Little or no thought was given to the welfare of the animal involved and I am satisfied your attraction to depraved areas of bestiality has to be confronted full-on. It was you who videoed it and it was you who encouraged the dog to perform sex acts and then proceeded to upload the images on the website.”

Ben Payne, prosecuting, said police went to Hurley’s address on January 31, 2021, to investigate a domestic incident from which no charges have been brought. He said the defendant’s phone and other electronic devices were seized during the visit and on the phone there were 25 videos and three images. It was identified that it was the defendant on the footage and a woman and the dog was performing a sex act.

The prosecutor said: “It was a poodle and the dog was being incited to engage in various sexual acts with the female by the defendant. There was also evidence of him uploading videos to a bestiality website, which is an aggravating feature.”

Hurley pleaded guilty to possessing extreme pornographic images.

Sentencing | 40 rehabilitation sessions with the probation service; 100 hours of unpaid work; £180 in costs and victim surcharge. Five-year sexual harm prevention order.

Derbyshire Live

UK Animal Cruelty Files

Tag Archives: Derbyshire

Hyde, Greater Manchester: Lynn and Charlotte Haydon-Williams

CONVICTED (2024) | Lynn Haydon-Williams, born 6 April 1960, of Redgate, Hyde SK14 5DE, and Charlotte Haydon-Williams, born 17 November 1988, of Cheetham Fold Road, Hyde SK14 5DF – for the neglect of multiple animals in the care of their sanctuary.

Derbyshire puppy farmers Stephen Buxton, Susan Heath, Oliver Lucas

Shirebrook, Derbyshire: Brian Birch

CONVICTED (2023) | backyard breeder / wildlife persecutor Brian Birch, born 17 September 1993, of Ash Grove, Shirebrook, Mansfield NG20 8QA – kept 17 injured, flea- and worm-riddled dogs in filthy conditions and allowed multiple ferrets to starve to death.

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Ilkeston, Derbyshire: Eddy Casey

CONVICTED (2023) | Edward G Casey, born 14 May 1985, of 21 Ebenezer Street, Ilkeston DE7 8JG – hit a dog so hard he injured his own hand.

Oakwood, Derby: Tania Walker

CONVICTED (2023) | pet hoarder Tania Walker, born 14 May 1964, of Meadow View Close, Oakwood, Derby DE21 2UL – kept 16 rabbits and guinea pigs in a dirty, rat-infested garage.

Codnor, Derbyshire: Izzac Campbell

CONVICTED (2023) | Izzac Ashley Campbell, aka Izzac Weeks, born 30 August 1993, of 8 Highfields, Codnor, Ripley DE5 9SB – for systematic cruelty to two puppies found with stab wounds, cigarette burns and scalding injuries.

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Swadlincote, South Derbyshire: Gary Vivers and Gillian Clarke

CONVICTED (2023) | backyard breeders Gary Vivers, born c. 1959, and Gill Clarke, born c. 1961, of Cedar Grove, Linton, Swadlincote DE12 6QQ – kept seven badly neglected dogs in filthy kennels

Ripley, Derbyshire: Connor Fell

CONVICTED (2022) | Connor Liam Fell, previously of Ripley, Derbyshire, but with strong ties to the Rivelin area of Sheffield – bred and sold puppies without a licence.

Heage, Derbyshire: Emily Matthews

CONVICTED (2022) | Emily Jade Matthews, born October 1997, of The Bent, Jacksons Lane, Heage, Belper DE56 2AA – for unlicensed dog breeding/pet profiteering.

Chellaston, Derby: Robert Hurley

CONVICTED (2022) | pervert Robert Hurley, born c. 1970, of Griffon Close, Chellaston, Derby DE73 5PB – filmed his dog performing sex acts on a woman and uploaded the footage to a bestiality website.

We collate data on animal cruelty convictions in the UK