Tag Archives: East of England

East of England

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

Stevenage, Hertfordshire: Mark Linford

April 16, 2024 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED | Mark Anthony Linford, born October 1977, of Long Lane, Aston End, Stevenage SG2 7HG – broke into a woman’s home and stole her dogs before attacking them, causing fatal injuries to one.

Evil Stevenage man Mark Linford stole three dogs during a burglary and killed one of them while seriously injuring the others — Dog killer Mark ‘Marco’ Linford will be spending the next two-and-a-half years behind bars for his crimes

Linford, a self-employed painter/decorator trading under the name Linford’s Professional Decorating, pleaded guilty to three counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal as well as burglary

Essex Police were called to an address in Harlow on the afternoon of 18 September 2023 following reports of a residential burglary, where three chihuahua dogs (pictured) were stolen.

The suspect was quickly identified as Linford. He was located and arrested on suspicion of burglary.

The dogs were located later in the day.

Evil Stevenage man Mark Linford stole three dogs (pictured) during a burglary and killed one of them while seriously injuring the others — Nacho pictured at the back alongside Lola and Parker

One dog, Nacho, was found next to the railway track at Harlow Mill. Sadly, he had to be put to sleep due to the severity of his injuries.

The other two dogs, Parker and Lola, were found close to the train tracks with serious injuries.

Linford was further arrested on suspicion of three counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and later charged.

After pleading guilty to three counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and burglary, he was sentenced to a total of two years and six months in prison.

Linford, who uses the first name Marco but may also go by the name Billy or Billie Linford, was also issued with a restraining order against the victim, an Animal Disqualification Order and ordered to pay compensation to the victim.

Following the sentence, the dogs’ owner said the following: “No sentence given to Mark Linford (Marco) will ever do justice for the loss of my little Nacho and the devastation it’s caused the whole family and the other two dogs.

“You never think that something so awful could ever happen to you.

“Our animals are like our children, totally innocent.”

Detective Constable Sarah Faircloth, who led the investigation said “Mark Linford made the decision to take the victim’s three defenceless dogs which goes to show what a dangerous individual he is. The anguish and heartache he has caused is irreparable, which no prison sentence will ever compensate.

“I must commend the victim for her courage throughout the investigation, her support and dedication for justice for Nacho, which in my opinion was the main reason Linford had no choice but to admit his guilt.”

Sentencing | two years and six months in prison; animal disqualification order of unspecified duration.

EssexLive

Dogs, Lifers, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers

Clacton-on-Sea, Essex: Robert Manton and Natasha Butler

March 30, 2024 misanthropic 2 Comments

CONVICTED (2024) | Robert Manton aka Rob Philpot, born 1986, and Natasha Butler, born November 1979, of Stonham Avenue, Clacton-on-Sea CO16 7EH – neglected and physically abused their two dogs.

RSPCA prosecution of Clacton-on-Sea couple Robert Manton and Natasha Butler for cruelty to two dogs. — Butler and Manton were banned from keeping animals for life after being captured on video abusing their two dogs.

The RSPCA investigated Manton and Butler after receiving video evidence of their cruelty towards a Staffy called Bruce and Jack Russell-type Snoop. This included footage showing Manton kicking and hitting both dogs.

On January 13, 2023 the charity attended the couple’s home in Clacton with police and removed the dogs.

Further evidence was provided of the two dogs fighting outside and running loose in the street and one of the dogs attacking the other. There was no intervention by their owners, thereby facilitating the suffering of the animal being attacked The two dogs were kept together and there was no provision to keep Snoop safe.

Both dogs had skin disease and were infested with fleas. They were also being kept in unsuitable conditions.

Manton, who is no stranger to Essex Police, was found guilty in his absence while Butler pleaded guilty to failing to meet the welfare needs of Snoop and Bruce by one or a combination of the following:

Failing to address the skin condition affecting one or both dogs
Failing to adequately control the dogs resulting in the dogs fighting each other
Keeping the dogs in an unsuitable environment containing hazardous items and which was contaminated by urine and faeces
Failing to protect the dogs from stress by punching or kicking them
Exercising the dogs on the highway without the dogs being kept on leads meaning that the dogs were not under control or safe
Failing to provide routine preventative health care such as vaccination and parasitic control.

In mitigation, the court was told Manton was suffering from mental health issues and he had lost a relative to cancer. The dogs were not his, but he was aware of their conditions. In mitigation Butler also said she had been suffering with mental health issues.

Speaking after the case RSPCA inspector Emma Beynon said: “Bruce and Snoop should have been protected and kept safe, but sadly this was not the case. The couple failed them in so many ways.

“Both dogs were taken into RSPCA care and both continued to thrive and they have now been rehomed.

“I would also like to thank the witnesses in this case – which was a difficult one for all involved.

Sentencing |
Manton: 17 week prison sentence for the animal welfare offence with one further week added for his failure to surrender. He also activated a previous suspended sentence – which resulted in a further 40 weeks’ imprisonment to run consecutively.

Butler: 12-week prison sentence with additional time added for failure to surrender; 30 days of rehabilitation activity; costs of £600 plus £154 victim surcharge.

Both were disqualified from keeping animals for life.

EssexLive

Birds, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports

Hopton, Suffolk: Harry Locker

January 31, 2024 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2024) | Harry Locker, born 7 January 2000, of Nethergate Street in Hopton, near Diss IP22 2QZ – placed a live chicken into a cage containing ferrets and filmed as the bird was attacked and slowly killed.

Animal abuser Harry Locker from Hopton, Suffolk. Image: Facebook

Locker pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, by causing a ferret to attack a white coloured chicken.

The RSPCA was alerted to the incident by a member of the public that the bird had been deliberately put in the cage with the ferrets.

The defendant was arrested and three videos were found on his phone showing his ferrets attacking and killing the chicken.

A vet who examined the videos said the suffering was caused directly by the person who placed the bird in with the ferrets and that based on the videos it appeared the bird took three minutes to die – during which time it was repeatedly attacked and bitten.

Speaking after the case RSPCA Inspector Caroline Richardson said: “The footage is very difficult to watch. Animals are sentient creatures who feel emotions and this poor bird was made to suffer for almost three minutes while it was attacked.

“I am pleased the defendant has been held to account for his actions. I hope this case sends out a clear message that deliberate cruelty of this kind is not ever acceptable.”

The ferrets were signed over to the RSPCA.

In mitigation the defendant said that he had mental health issues and that this was a foolish thing to have done.

Sentencing | 18 month community order with 200 hours of unpaid work and 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days; A total of £1,964 in costs and victim surcharge. Banned from keeping all animals, except for dogs, for five years (expires January 2029).

Eastern Daily Press

Dogs, Lifers, Worst of the Worst

March, Cambridgeshire: Collette Carre

January 20, 2024 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2024) | Collette Carre, born c. 1966, of Acacia Grove, March PE15 8HY – failed to treat a greyhound gravely ill with a 14cm tumour that covered her snout and muzzle.

Animal abuser Collette Carre from March, Cambridgeshire — Cruel and vile Collette Carre said that financial difficulties and mental health problems prevented her from taking her dying dog to a vet

Carre pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to the female greyhound type dog called Defa by failing to seek prompt veterinary care for the grapefruit-sized tumorous mass on her snout/muzzle, as well as weight loss and her poor bodily condition.

The RSPCA was alerted after Carre attended a veterinary practice to have the dog put to sleep.

Defa's owner, Collette Carre from March, Cambridgeshire, turned a blind eye to her suffering — Carre turned a blind eye to the suffering of emaciated Defa who had a huge tumour on her snout

A vet who examined Defa said in a statement that she was emaciated and had a large putrefying and necrosing tumour over her upper jaw obliterating the nostrils and there was an overpowering smell of rotting flesh and purulent discharge.

This would affect the dog’s ability to eat, drink and pant.

The examination found that she was dehydrated and hungry but was unable to eat and drink. The vet said the tumour would have been incredibly painful and estimated that she had been left to suffer for at least two months.

RSPCA Inspector Jon Knight said after the case: “We as pet owners have a responsibility to do the right thing for our animals – sadly this was not the case for poor Defa.

“It would not take any medical or veterinary expertise to see Defa was suffering and should have been taken to a vet sooner.”

In mitigation, the defendant said it was a result of mental health issues and financial difficulties.

Sentencing | 15-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months; community order with mental health treatment requirement and rehabilitation activity; £187 victim surcharge. Lifetime ban on keeping all animals.

Cambs News
Fenland Citizen

Animal Abandonment, Dogs, Lifers, Worst of the Worst

Clacton-on-Sea, Essex: Daryl Burgess

January 13, 2024 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2024) | Daryl Burgess, born 6 April 1992, of Chantry Close, Clacton CO16 9QL – starved his dog to death.

Dog killer Daryl Burgess from Clacton on Sea, Essex. Image: Facebook

Burgess was prosecuted by the RSPCA after the skeletal remains of the young mastiff-type dog named Patch were found in his garden. The horrific discovery was made on 12 January 2023 by police officers pursuing a suspect.

The RSPCA was alerted and an investigation was started.

RSPCA inspector Emma Beynon said: “I was shocked and upset to see the condition he was in.

“Every single bone could be seen in his body, he looked like a skeleton. Patch would not have even been two years old.”

A vet who examined Patch gave him a body condition score of zero out of nine and said the owner “should have .. sought medical advice and treatment”.

They continued: “By not seeking veterinary advice they would have been failing to meet the animal’s needs, causing the suffering of the animal.

“It would have taken days to weeks to reach a body condition score this low.”

In court, Burgess pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a dog by failing to adequately explore and address the dog’s weight loss.

In mitigation sick Burgess, who represented himself, described Patch’s wilful killing as “an unfortunate event”.

Speaking after the conviction, inspector Beynon described the case as “truly heart-breaking”.

She added: “This was a deliberate disregard for Patch which resulted in his sad death.

“Pets are completely reliant on their owners to ensure their needs are met and they are kept safe and healthy.

“Owning an animal is a privilege – and ensuring appropriate care is a key part of the responsibility we have towards our pets.

“It’s so sad that, in this instance, that responsibility was not met and Patch was left to suffer.”

Sentencing | 23 weeks in prison; £300 costs and £154 victim surcharge. Disqualified from keeping all animals for life.

Echo
EssexLive

Dogs, Lifers

Chelmsford, Essex: Natalie and Geoff Greenaway

December 24, 2023 misanthropic 2 Comments

CONVICTED (2023) | Natalie Greenaway, born 30 September 1981 and Geoffrey Greenaway, age tbc, of 39 West Avenue, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 2DB – failed to provide urgent veterinary care for their elderly dog.

Cruel Chelmsford couple Natalie and Geoff Greenaway are banned for life after caused appalling suffering to their elderly pet dog — Cruel couple Natalie and Geoff Greenaway are banned for life after caused appalling suffering to their elderly pet dog

The RSPCA attended the couple’s address in June 2023 where they were shown Taz who was in a very poor condition.

She was severely underweight with a body condition score of 0.5/5.. Her hips, spine and ribs were all clearly visible.

Both back legs looked to be deformed at the stifle joints. She had very little to no muscle coverage.

Cruel couple Natalie and Geoff Greenaway are banned for life after caused appalling suffering to their elderly pet dog — Tragic dog Taz was in immense pain due to her multiple health issues

Taz was signed over to the RSPCA and taken to a vet to be examined where it was evident that she was gravely unwell.

She was underweight and had multiple pressure sores; many nails were growing into her pads and her back legs were weak and stiff.

She had horrendous teeth with food and hair stuck in them, bad ears, fleas and untreated cruciate ligaments.

As a result of these clinical findings, the vet stated Taz was suffering and immediate pain relief was given.

Animal abuser: Natalie Greenaway from Chelmsford, Essex - banned from owning animals for life.

Following a full clinical examination, the vet concluded Taz was in pain associated with pressure sores, dental disease and ingrown nails – her state of emaciation was adding to her suffering.

Sadly, Taz was in such a poor state of health, a vet decided to put her to sleep to end to her suffering.

In mitigation, the Greenaways conceded they could have done significantly more to address their loyal pet’s deteriorating health. They said they had buried their heads in the sand in the hope things would get better.

The court heard that Natalie Greenaway had “mental health” issues and had suffered a family bereavement.

Speaking after the case Inspector Emma Beynon said: “This suffering could have been prevented by adequate attention and appropriate veterinary treatment.

“It is vital owners provide veterinary care should their animal need it – which was not the case for poor Taz.”

Sentencing | each received an 18-week custodial sentence suspended for 18 months; 20-day rehabilitation activity requirement; 150 hours of unpaid work; £150 cost and £154 victim surcharge. Both were banned from keeping all animals for life.

Echo News

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

Eye, Cambridgeshire: Fred Holmes

November 18, 2023 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2023) | serial hare courser Fred Holmes, born c. 1963, of Eye View Travellers Site, Thorney Road, Eye, Peterborough PE6 7UA – for trespassing on private land and using dogs to chase and kill hares in Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire.

Traveller Fred Holmes was fined nearly £20k after being caught in Lincolnshire using dogs to kill hares

Following a report of hare coursing in Low Road, Crowland, on November 13, 2022, officers from Lincolnshire Police’s Rural Crime Action Team attended and located Fred Holmes, who appeared to be equipped with dogs on the land.

Holmes was subsequently charged with trespass in pursuit of hare and going equipped for trespass.

Northamptonshire Police joined the investigation as he was also suspected of hare coursing in Warmington on October 23, 2022.

Holmes was already subject to a community protection notice in Northamptonshire after committing similar offences previously, and his three lurcher-type dogs were seized alongside his mobile phone.

The joint force investigation resulted in Holmes being charged with two counts of trespass in pursuit of game, and two counts of being equipped to trespass in pursuit of hares.

Despite initially denying the Northamptonshire offences, at Boston Magistrates’ Court on November 10, 2023, he entered guilty pleas to all four counts.

Sentencing | ordered to pay £16,783.50 for the kennel costs of keeping the three dogs since their seizure, as well as fines for the two trespass offences and two victim surcharges, making a total of £18,557.50. Three-year criminal behaviour order which prevents him from entering any private land in Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire or Cambridgeshire with a sighthound, greyhound, long dog or lurcher type dog or cross breed, or being in the company of anyone with this kind of dog on private land, during the recognised hare coursing season (July 31 – April 30). Deprivation order for three dogs; forfeiture of thermal imaging equipment and a Citroen car. Banned from keeping dogs for 10 years (expires November 2033).

Spalding Voice
Peterborough Telegraph
ITV News

Dogs, Lifers, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers

Flitwick, Bedfordshire: Cameron Fisher

October 21, 2023 misanthropic 2 Comments

CONVICTED (2023) | Cameron Fisher, born c. 2000, of Greenways, Flitwick MK45 1DA – hit a dog with a bat.

Cane Corso Bluey was terrorised by her evil owner, Cameron Fisher from Flitwick, Beds

Fisher pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a Cane Corso type female dog called Bluey after hitting her with the bat.

The court was shown a video of the defendant with what looked like a small or child’s baseball bat hitting down left handed next to a dog training crate immediately followed by a dog yelping. While the incident is obscured by a fence, it is believed the dog was struck with the bat with some force causing the dog to yelp for an extended period of time.

The man can be heard speaking on the video and, among other things, says to the dog “What you f**** keep moving for”

Fisher was arrested by the police and Bluey was seized in September 2022

RSPCA Inspector Jon Knight took over the animal welfare investigation.

Bluey was taken to a vet for examination where it was found she was around 5kgs underweight and her forelimbs were a little overloaded possibly due to lack of exercise. She was prescribed flea and worm treatments

A vet who was asked to view the footage said in a report there was “deliberate and repeated verbal and physical abuse of the dog. There is strong evidence of the dog cowering and being very frightened in the presence of the owner/keeper.”

Speaking after the case inspector Knight said: “I am so pleased that we were able to help Bluey and that she can now live the rest of her life without fear and we are grateful to everyone involved with this case. This incident highlights that it is never acceptable to physically abuse your dog.”

Bluey was successfully rehomed by the RSPCA.

Sentencing | 12 month community order with 150 hours of unpaid work and 20-day rehabilitation activity requirement of 20 days; costs of £1,000. Lifetime ban on keeping all animals.

Bedford Today

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

Wisbech / Peterborough / Spalding: Nelson Loveridge, Stacey Smith, Danny Rainford, Terry Smith

July 9, 2023 misanthropic 2 Comments

CONVICTED (2023) | hare coursing gang members Nelson Loveridge, born c. 1985, of 3 Maltmas Road, Friday Bridge, Wisbech PE14 9HR, Danny Rainford, born c. 1990, of Seadyke Caravan Park, Seadyke Road, Wisbech St Mary, Wisbech PE13 4XF, Stacey Smith, born c. 1984, of Baulkins Drove, Sutton St James, Spalding PE12 0JU and Terry Smith, born c. 1983, of Oxney Road, Peterborough PE1

Hare coursers Stacey Smith, Terry Smith, Danny Rainford, Nelson Loveridge

Travellers Nelson Loveridge, Stacey Smith, Danny Rainford and Terry Smith, who are all well known to police, pleaded guilty to being equipped for hare coursing.

Career crook Terry Smith, a convicted domestic abuser, appeared via video link. .

All four men, who are “landscape gardeners” by trade, had previous convictions for poaching.

They were arrested by Lincolnshire Police Rural Crime officers following a short pursuit for hare coursing in the Eastern Road area of Spalding on 9 November, 2022.

Police had been called to a suspected hare coursing incident nearby. A grey Volkswagen vehicle – which was not insured, had no MOT and was not registered to anyone – made off when officers arrived.

It was later found abandoned in Flag Lane, Whaplode Drove, alongside a number of recently-killed hares, said prosecutor Kate Minihane.

A dog handler traced the men nearby.

“A download from Terry Smith’s phone showed a hare coursing incident on the day of arrest but it couldn’t be pinpointed where that happened,” said the prosecutor.

“Three dogs were kept by police in kennels at large expense to the public purse.”

They belonged to Loveridge, Rainford and Stacey Smith. All of the dogs had been forfeited and rehomed since. A fourth dog was seized but no one accepted ownership.

Sentencing | four months’ imprisonment suspended for 24 months; a five-year criminal behaviour order not to enter Lincolnshire during the hare coursing season and be on land with a sight hound or be in company with any person with such a dog without permission. Six-month driving disqualification. all items used in connection with the offence have been forfeited, including their vehicle and their dogs. Stacy Smith, Nelson Loveridge and Danny Rainford have been required to pay £3,586 to recover the kennelling costs. They have also each received fines of £239. Disqualified from keeping dogs for five years (expires July 2028).

Spalding Today
Lincolnshire Police

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

Colne, Lancashire: Jamil Khan

June 29, 2023 misanthropic 3 Comments

CONVICTED (2023) | Jamil James Khan, born 1 September 1993, of 9 Mason Street, Colne BB8 9BU – subjected two kittens to multiple attacks, causing one to suffer fatal injuries.

Khan, who has links to Norwich and Bacup, Lancashire, admitted causing unnecessary suffering to the kittens called Obi and Amidala, between April 1 and July 4, 2022.

The court heard how Khan took Obi to Stanley House vets where he claimed the kitten had been injured by a dog.

An examination revealed Obi had suffered fractures to his jaw and skull.

Two days later, on July 3, Khan phoned the vets again and said Obi was shallow breathing but still alive. He attended the vets within a few minutes by which time Obi had died, This time he said the kitten had been involved in a road traffic accident

The vet challenged Khan since the kitten’s injuries were not consistent with this account. Khan replied three times “I just can’t tell you’”.

The matter was referred to the police, who arrested and interviewed Khan that same day. He refused to answer any questions and responded with “no comment”.

A search of Khan’s property found another kitten, Amidala, who was handed over to the RSPCA.

She was taken to Greater Manchester Animal Hospital where it was found she had at least one fractured rib.

A post-mortem examination on Obi at the University of Liverpool found multiple fractures across his body and blood in his stomach, which shows he was alive when being subjected to the physical violence.

Joanne Daniels, prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, said both animals had been subjected to blunt force trauma on multiple occasions, while Obi suffered from high energy blunt force trauma and was alive at the time.

Mitigating, Rhianydd Clement said Khan had spoken about being stressed at the time of the abuse. She said that he panicked when speaking to the vet and realised the gravity of the situation he was in, which is why he did not tell the truth.

She added Khan had taken full responsibility for his offending and he is extremely remorseful.

Khan had been studying a psychology degree at Burnley College but has abandoned his course after one year due to the prosecution case.

Sentencing, Recorder David Temkin said: “Over the course of three months you mistreated both of those cats.

“The vet pressed you on how Obi died and the police were called. You were arrested on July 3 and interviewed but provided no comment and the police searched your house.

“They found a second kitten and it was medically examined and found to have at least one rib fracture.

“Those kittens were subjected to blunt force trauma and on both occasions suffered pain from your abuse. You failed to meet their needs.

“Your behaviour was clearly violent and must have been regular. You continued until one lost its life.”

Sentencing | 18 weeks in prison suspended for 18 months; 35 rehabilitation activity requirement days; £300 fine to be paid at £30 for week. Disqualified from keeping, owning or caring for animals for 10 years.

Lancashire Telegraph

UK Animal Cruelty Files