Tag Archives: Hartlepool

Dogs

Hartlepool, County Durham: Levi Swift and Bethany Greener

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CONVICTED (2024) |Levi Douglas Swift, born c. 2002, of Cornwall Street, Hartlepool, and Bethany Nicole Greener, née Bethany Murray, born 12 February 1989, of Hutton Avenue, Hartlepool – starved their pet lurcher.

Animal abusers Levi Swift and Bethany Greener from Hartlepool.
Levi Swift and Bethany Greener caused six weeks of suffering to a lurcher. Images: Facebook

The charges brought by the RSPCA related to a six-week period between October 20 and December 1, 2023, when oddball couple Levi Swift and Bethany Greener failed to provide adequate nutrition for their brindle-coloured lurcher, Elsie.

RSPCA prosecution of Animal abusers Levi Swift and Bethany Greener from Hartlepool, who starved a dog nearly to death

RSPCA Inspector Claire Wilson said in a statement to the court that she went to Hutton Avenue on December 1, 2023, after a complaint was made from a member of the public about two dogs left outside the property without shelter or bedding.

One was said to be very thin and the caller described her as being “close to death”.

RSPCA prosecution of Animal abusers Levi Swift and Bethany Greener from Hartlepool, who starved a dog nearly to death

The inspector said: “It was immediately obvious that Elsie was in extremely poor body condition and emaciated.

“I could see all her bones protruding through her rough coat and could see her full spine, ribs, pelvic bones and shoulder bones without putting my hands on her.

“When I did stroke her the bones were spiky to touch and she hardly had any muscle visible. She also had hair loss along her spine.”

RSPCA prosecution of Animal abusers Levi Swift and Bethany Greener from Hartlepool, who starved a dog nearly to death

Greener told the inspector the dog belonged to her partner and they had rescued her two months earlier when she claimed she was in a “much worse condition with very little fur and struggling to stand”.

The inspector added: “She (Greener) then said that she couldn’t afford to take the dogs to a vet as she only had £5 left from benefits at the end of the month once her bills came out.”

RSPCA prosecution of Animal abusers Levi Swift and Bethany Greener from Hartlepool, who starved a dog nearly to death

The couple consented for the inspector to take Elsie to a vets where she received treatment and she was later transferred to private boarding kennels used by the RSPCA. A vet expert report stated that Elsie would have been suffering for at least six weeks because she was in an emaciated state.

Swift and Greener pleaded guilty to the charges.

RSPCA prosecution of Animal abusers Levi Swift and Bethany Greener from Hartlepool, who starved a dog nearly to death
Elsie gained weight in the RSPCA’s care

The court ordered the permanent removal of Elsie from the pair.

Following two weeks in RSPCA care, the brindle-coloured lurcher put on more than 3kg in weight and made a good recovery.

Sentencing | Swift was ordered to pay a total of £337 while Greener is to pay £257, with the financial penalties to be deducted from benefits. Both were banned from owning, keeping, or having any control over animals for ten years.

TeessideLive
Northern Echo

Dogs, Lifers

Hartlepool, County Durham: Rosemary Purvis

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CONVICTED (2023) | Rosemary Purvis, born c. 1963, of Potter Walk, Hartlepool TS24 8DY – ignored her elderly dog’s chronic skin condition.

Animal abuser Rosemary Purvis from Hartlepool, County Durham. Image: Facebook

Purvis pleaded guilty to two offences of causing unnecessary suffering and failing to meet 10-year-old cocker spaniel Skye’s needs between March 3, 2022 and February 3, 2023.

She had extensive fur loss and her skin was scabby, inflamed, red and bleeding in places.

Her nails were also overgrown and she was scratching her skin constantly when seen by an RSPCA inspector.

Rosemary Purvis's dog's skin was scabby, inflamed, red and bleeding

Skye was signed over into the RSPCA’s care and an independent vet concluded that she had been left to suffer from severe chronic skin disease for at least a year.

The animal charity said if treated earlier, her suffering could have been avoided.

In mitigation, the court heard Purvis was genuinely remorseful and had been struggling for money.

Rosemary Purvis's dog's skin was scabby, inflamed, red and bleeding

Inspector Lucy Green said: “A reasonable owner would have ensured that Skye was taken to a vet for veterinary treatment.

“If people are struggling to cover the costs, there are a number of charities which provide help for veterinary care for pet owners in financial difficulties.

“People can also work with their vet to spread the cost of treatment.

“There is no excuse for allowing any pet to get into the state Skye was in.”

Sentencing | £720 costs. Indefinite ban on keeping animals.

Hartlepool Mail

Equine Abuse, police horses, working equines

Hartlepool, County Durham: Peter Mincher

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CONVICTED (2022) | Peter Mincher, born 2 September 1978, of Lindsay Road, Hartlepool – punched a police horse in the head before a football match.

Football hooligan Peter Mincher. Picture: Facebook.
Football hooligan Peter Mincher. Picture: Facebook.

Mincher was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal at Bristol Magistrates’ Court.

The court in Bristol heard how he punched the horse, named Blaise, in the head prior to the National League play off final on June 20, 2021.

He was fined and ordered to pay costs and a victim surcharge totalling £1,215.

Gazette Live

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

Hartlepool, County Durham: Thomas Wade

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CONVICTED (2020) | Thomas Andrew Wade, born 02/03/1993, previously of Mellor Street, Stockton-on-Tees, but as of September 2020 living in an NHS care facility in Park Avenue, Hartlepool TS26 0DZ – subjected his pet cat to prolonged torture which included putting her into a hot oven and flushing her down the toilet

Animal torturer Thomas Wade now of Hartlepool
Thomas Wade aka ‘Evil Tom’ most recently of Hartlepool but with links to Stockton on Tees and Grimsby

Wade claimed in court he heard voices from a WWE wrestler named Kane before launching the attack on the cat, known as Sweetie. During her ordeal, which came after she apparently “disobeyed” her twisted owner, Sweetie was put in a hot oven, flushed in a toilet, strangled with a TV cord and thrown against walls.

Wade then made disturbing voice recordings of himself where he spoke in detail about carrying out the horrific abuse and proclaimed: “No one can be more evil than myself.”

Despite the sickening cruelty, Sweetie miraculously survived the ordeal, but was hospitalised with severe third degree burns.

Wade pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to an animal during his appearance at Teesside Magistrates’ Court.

Stuart Haywood, prosecuting, said loner Wade, who has learning difficulties and autism, received Sweetie as a gift from his sister as she thought it would be “good for him”.

The tabby was then given to Wade for a three week trial before possible adoption.

But on October 8, 2019, Wade went to his sister’s home and told her the cat “was not wanted anymore”.

Animal torturer Thomas Wade now of Hartlepool

Mr Haywood said his sister then went to Wade’s home where she “smelled a strong smell of burning”.

“The defendant was sitting on a settee and the cat was wet and breathing rapidly, he refused to say why,” he said.

He added that fur was then found in Wade’s oven. After more questions, Wade finally admitted what he had done, saying that it “felt good”.

His sister immediately notified the RSPCA and Sweetie was taken to a vet where she was found to be in a “terrible condition”.

She had sustained skin damage and “significant” third degree burns before being hospitalised.

The police soon became involved and Wade was arrested.

Rambling voice recordings were later discovered of Wade speaking about the abuse.

In the recordings, one of which was eight minutes long, he spoke in detail about attacking Sweetie.

In one sinister recording he said, “No one can be more evil than myself” and said he wanted to “rip out its tongue” after seeing her struggle while being “choke slammed”.

In another he referred to himself as “evil Tom”.

Animal torturer Thomas Wade now of Hartlepool

In police interview, Wade said he “threw her against four walls” and said he carried out the violence in part because he claimed he heard voice in his head from the WWE wrestling character, Kane, in his head.

Wade was also remorseless, telling officers “she had not suffered enough”.

He said he put the terrified cat in the oven “on high for five minutes” after throwing her against a wall and said he became infuriated at Sweetie for “disobeying” his orders for her not to go under his bed. The court heard that Wade had “no mental health” issues, but did have learning difficulties.

Matthew Agar, defending, said the incident was “shocking”, and said he “did not want to minimise” the offence.

He said it was his view Wade’s learning disability was a “contributing factor” and that he had serious concerns for him.

Mr Agar added that Wade was now aware of the severity of the offence and that he felt Wade had something like a “split-personality”.

He said that Wade had moved to Teesside from Grimsby and would “go weeks” without any other contact with people.

Sentencing Wade, district judge, Helen Cousins called him an “extremely dangerous man” and that she would liked to have “put him in prison for as long as I could”.

Sentencing: 18-week prison sentence, suspended for two years. Six months of mental health treatment. 30 rehabilitation activity days and 18-week hospital curfew. £440 costs. Banned from keeping pets for 10 years (expires 2030).

GazetteLive

Animal Abandonment, Dogs

Hartlepool, County Durham: Natasha Corbett

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CONVICTED (2020) | Natasha Kaye Corbett, born 16/02/1988, of Meryl Gardens, Stockton Road, Hartlepool TS25 2PL – neglected and starved two dogs kept in pens in an outbuilding.

Convicted animal abuser Natasha Corbett from Hartlepool

Single mother Natasha Corbett pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a dog called Lucky and of failing to ensure the welfare of a second dog, Otis.

The court heard vets found Lucky had a body condition score of 1 out of 9, along with painful, matted fur and Otis was significantly underweight with a score of 2 out of 9.

Pictured is Lucky after she'd been shaved to remove painful matted fur
Lucky had to be shaved to remove painful matted fur

Stewart Heywood, prosecuting, said an RSPCA officer attended Corbett’s house in early October 2019 after concerns were raised about the dogs’ welfare.

He said the dogs were being kept in metal pens inside an outbuilding and the officer could see they needed immediate vet care.

The prosecutor said: “She said she relied on the children to feed both the dogs, but admitted she did not check they were doing so.”

Pictured is neglected dog Otis.
Otis was underweight due to not being fed properly

He said Corbett was given an RSPCA caution in 2018 after she admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a number of puppies.

A spokesman for the probation service said Corbett, a former pupil at Manor College of Technology, is a single mother and works full time as a senior sales assistant for BrightHouse.

He said her two sons, aged nine and 11, were given the responsibility of caring for the dogs.

Convicted animal abuser Natasha Corbett from Hartlepool

He said: “Ms Corbett now recognises that the responsibility to care for the dogs was her own.

“Due to her ignorance and lack of finance the dogs were not cared for as they should have been.

“She feels guilty about what happened.”

Andrew Teate, defending, said the dogs had been brought into the family by Ms Corbett’s former partner who was then sent to prison.

He said Ms Corbett’s cats were well looked after and the RSPCA had no issues with their care.

He said: “The children were caring for the animals, she accepts with the benefit of hindsight that was unsatisfactory.”

Sentencing: 12 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months; four-week curfew. Banned from keeping all animals for ten years. Deprivation order on her cats.

Hartlepool Mail

Additional information:

Natasha Corbett’s Instagram profile: https://www.instagram.com/tashacorbett88/

animal fighting / baiting, badger baiting, Dogs, hunting with dogs, Organised Animal Crime, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports

Hartlepool, County Durham: Shaun Brown

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CONVICTED (2019) | Shaun Brown, born 11 December 1990, formerly of Runciman Road, Hartlepool, and more recently of Brenda Road, Hartlepool TS25 1QH – member of a gang of badger baiters.

Shaun Brown was the driver of gang of badger baiters with the other members – Clint Dodd, Michael Dodd, Connor Pounder and Daniel Joyce – all sentenced last month.

Jane Chadwick, prosecuting, said that when police, alerted by a member of the public, arrived at the sett in Hovingham, west of Malton, Brown tried to drive off but crashed and was arrested walking away from the scene with his dog beside him.

A second dog called Brock, which his co-accused put down the sett, was badly injured.

The other members of the Hartlepool-based badger baiting gang: clockwise from top left Clint Dodd, Daniel Joyce, Connor Pounder and Michael Dodd
The other members of the Hartlepool-based badger baiting gang: clockwise from top left Clint Dodd, Daniel Joyce, Connor Pounder and Michael Dodd

Brown pleaded guilty to digging for badgers, interfering with a badger sett, causing unnecessary suffering to Brock the terrier, careless driving, driving without insurance and without a licence.

District judge Adrian Lower told him he may not have actually helped dig up the sett, or put Brock down it, but he was part of the badger baiting.

“You cannot pretend that you didn’t know what everyone else was going to do when you arrived in North Yorkshire.

“Nearly everyone apart from you and your companions would think that such behaviour is absolutely appalling and involves nothing less than the attempted torture of an animal that cannot properly defend itself against men and a terrier.”

The district judge did not give Brown an animal ban. He said Brown’s dog was uninjured and did not appear to have been used for badger baiting, so he could keep her.

Sentencing | six-week prison sentence suspended for 12 months on condition he stays out of North Yorkshire and doesn’t associate with any other members of the gang. Banned from driving for 12 months; ordered to pay £368.02 towards the costs of treating and caring for the injured Brock, a £115 statutory surcharge and £85 prosecution costs.

York Press

animal fighting / baiting, badger baiting, Dogs, hunting with dogs, Multiple Species, Organised Animal Crime, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports

Hartlepool, County Durham: Clint Dodd, Michael Dodd, Daniel Joyce and Connor Pounder

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CONVICTED (2019) | badger baiters Clint Dodd, born 09/04/1996, and Michael Dodd, born 04/03/1991, both of 43 Thornhill Gardens, Hartlepool TS26 0JF, Connor Pounder, born 14/04 /1996, of 31 Speeding Drive, Hartlepool TS24 9QE and Daniel Joyce, born 07/09/1990, of 70 Granville Avenue, Hartlepool TS26 8NA

Badger baiters from Hartlepool, County Durham: Clint Dodd, Michael Dodd, Daniel Joyce, Connor Pounder
Badger baiters from Hartlepool, Co Durham

Brothers Clint and Michael Dodd and accomplices Daniel Joyce and Connor Pounder, all of Hartlepool, pleaded guilty to offences under the Badger Act 1992 and Animal Welfare Act 2006 after they were found interfering with a known badger sett in the village of Hovingham, North Yorkshire.

Jagd terrier Brock suffered horrific facial injuries after being forced into a badger sett by his cruel owners
Jagd terrier Brock suffered horrific facial injuries after being forced into a badger sett by his cruel owners

The gang admitted digging for badgers, interfering with a badger sett and causing unnecessary suffering to a Jagd Terrier named Brock who they were using to send down the badger sett.

A fifth defendant, Shaun Brown, 28, of Runciman Road, Hartlepool, failed to attend court and a warrant has been issued for his arrest.

Badger baiting brothers Clint and Michael Dodd from Hartlepool, Co Durham
Badger baiting brothers Clint and Michael Dodd from Hartlepool, Co Durham

A member of the public spotted a group of men close to a known badger sett in Hovingham on 11 January 2019 and immediately reported it to North Yorkshire Police. When officers arrived, they found four of the men digging the sett and scanning the ground with a tracker locator device trying to trace a dog which was currently in the sett.

The terrier dog, Brock, was underweight and found with serious injuries to his face and muzzle as well as painful ulcerations to his eyes and an untreated eye infection. He was treated by local vets and will now be rehomed.

The Jagd Terrier is a German breed, renowned for their hunting abilities so will often be used to engage in illegal activities such as badger baiting. The name ‘Brock’ is also a colloquialism for badger.

Badger baiter Connor Pounder from Hartlepool, Co Durham
Connor Pounder

North Yorkshire Police’s Inspector Kevin Kelly is Head of the national Badger Persecution Priority Delivery Group (BPPDG). He said: “I took on this role because I’m serious about badger crime and I hope this sentencing result sends a clear message that badger persecution will not be tolerated. You interfere with badger sets, you receive a custodial sentence – it’s as simple as that.

“Wildlife crime can often be contested and hard fought in the court room so it’s positive to see the defendants in this case plead guilty on first appearance. It demonstrates the importance of the partnership working that we have championed in the BPPDG – using the skills and knowledge of key partners, former wildlife crime officers and expert witnesses to present a strong case to the Crown Prosecution Service.

“This case has been led by one of North Yorkshire Police’s new Wildlife Crime Officers, PC Rory Sadler and it’s great to see such a positive result. I’d also like to praise the actions of the member of the public who reported the sett disturbance. It’s really important that people are vigilant to wildlife crime and we start working on our legacy now to develop the next generation.”

Badger baiter Michael Dodd from Hartlepool, Co Durham
Michael Dodd

RSPCA Inspector and National Wildlife Officer Coordinator, Geoff Edmond, said: “The RSPCA works very closely with North Yorkshire Police to achieve best practice when investigating rural and wildlife crime. Significant results are now being seen in the courts.

Brock has recovered from his ordeal and will be rehomed

“This case highlights the skills and expertise being achieved which sends a strong message that crimes like this involving cruelty to badgers and injuries to the dogs involved will be investigated and dealt with seriously at court. Badger related crime is horrific, unnecessary and will not be tolerated.”

Sentencing: Clint Dodd, Joyce and Pounder were each given a 10-week suspended prison sentence and ordered to pay costs. . They were ordered not to enter North Yorkshire for 12 months. Michael Dodd was already in receipt of a suspended sentence for driving whilst disqualified and was consequently jailed for 14 weeks. All four were disqualified from keeping dogs for five years.

Northern Echo

Update 17 August 2019

The fifth member of the gang Shaun Brown was given a suspended sentence.

Badger baiter Shaun Brown from Hartlepool

He was not banned from keeping animals as his dog was seemingly uninjured with the judge taking from this he had not been used for badger baiting.

Dogs, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers

Hartlepool, County Durham: Michaela Durkin

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CONVICTED (2019) | Michaela (Kayla) Alison Durkin, born 13 June 1995, of Jesmond Gardens, Hartlepool TS24 8QU – allowed her dog to suffer with a broken leg for a month, forcing vets to amputate it.

Animal abuser Kayla Durkin from Hartlepool. County Durham
Kayla Durkin

Durkin pleaded guilty one count of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal between March and April 2019.

The mother-of-two lied to RSPCA inspectors claiming her whippet, Lola, had fallen down the stairs and injured her right hind leg, but appeared to “brighten up” after a couple of days.

Whippet Lola was left to suffer with a broken leg for four weeks by her callous owner Michaela Durkin

A member of the public contacted the animal welfare charity after noticing the family pet had an “obvious and noticeable injury”. Lola was unable to put any weight on the leg and it appeared visibly swollen.

The court heard how Durkin denied witnessing Lola falling down the stairs, but had heard a yelp. However, she claimed she could not remember the date that the dog first began holding up one leg.

Animal abuser Kayla Durkin from Hartlepool. County Durham

Dave Dedman, prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, said: “Lola was taken to see a vet who stated she was incapable of putting any weight on the leg and it was clear there was a fracture to the femur, muscle contractures and shortening of the limb.

“She said that had occurred over a prolonged period of time. She was hospitalised on April 5, 2019, but very sadly, because of the break and because the muscle had contracted, Lola had her right hind leg amputated on April 8.”

Animal abuser Kayla Durkin from Hartlepool. County Durham

Durkin, was interviewed four days later and said she thought Lola had not been herself for a couple of days, but had perked back up and she had no reason to think Lola’s leg was broken.

Vets caring for the whippet confirmed it was impossible for the dog to have sustained the injury by falling down the stairs and said the fracture had happened at least four weeks prior to the RSPCA investigation.

No charges were brought against alleged dog beater Daniel Hunter from Hartlepool
No charges were brought against alleged dog beater Daniel Hunter from Hartlepool

They instead suggested Lola’s leg had been subjected to “substantial lateral force”. The court heard allegations that the father of Durkin’s children, Daniel Hunter, had kicked the dog, however no charges were brought against him.

Mr Dedman concluded there had been “prolonged neglect”, adding: “It’s a very sad and there’s a high level of suffering caused to the dog, to the point where her leg had to be amputated.”

Lola's living accommodation
Lola’s living accommodation was sub-standard

A probation report stated Durkin had significant personal and financial problems and could not afford veterinary bills.

Durkin’s solicitor, Gavin Musgrave, conceded the family pet had sustained a “horrific injury” and told the court that Lola had been signed over into the care of the RSPCA.

Mr Musgrave said: “She was a responsible dog owner and she’s had animals in the past. She’s very remorseful for the incident and she’s fearful of the consequences.”

Sentencing | 12-month community order; total of £485 fine and charges. Disqualified from owning or being in control of any animal for ten years (expires July 2029).

Northern Echo
Teesside Live

Animal Abandonment, Dogs, Lifers, Worst of the Worst

Hartlepool, County Durham: John Donaldson

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CONVICTED (2017) | John Michael Donaldson, born 25/05/1969, of Oak Grove, Hartlepool TS24 8JG – left two dogs to starve to death.

Dog killer John Donaldson from Hartlepool, North East England

Donaldson left a female white and black terrier-type dog called Bess and a male black terrier named Whiskey at a house in Straker Street, Hartlepool, without food.

The dogs were found dead on May 23, 2017, by the landlord of the house that Donaldson rented.

RSPCA inspector Lucy Hoehne said: “The smell was overwhelming and there was faeces, urine and bits of chewed up foam from a sofa all over the floor.

“The dogs were in the upstairs back bedroom.

“It was an absolutely heartbreaking scene, they were snuggled together in a corner where there was a duvet on the floor.

“If it hadn’t been for the smell, at first glance you might have thought they were sleeping.

“They had been dead for some time, likely as a result of starvation and dehydration, and were covered in maggots.”

The court earlier heard that Donaldson had previously lived at the house but left the dogs there when he moved to another address.

John Elwood, prosecuting, told the court at an earlier hearing it was not possible to say how long the dogs had been dead. He said: “For the dogs to be in the condition they were found, the period of neglect must have been prolonged.”

Donaldson refused to cooperate with the RSPCA investigation. He was convicted in his absence of two offences of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal between April and May 2017.

Donaldson was eventually arrested after a third warrant was issued when he failed to turn up at court.

RSPCA inspector Hoehne said: “What these dogs went through before they died doesn’t bear thinking about.”

Sentencing: 24 weeks in jail. Total of £415 costs and charges. Lifetime ban on keeping animals.

Gazette Live
Express

Update October 2021

John Donaldson was jailed for three years after pleading guilty to robbery. His conviction followed an incident when he threatened a shop assistant with a screwdriver before stealing £280 from a till.

Donaldson, now of Miers Avenue, Hartlepool, had been in court 68 times before mainly for theft and burglaries.

His lawyer Stephen Littlewood said: “From the age of 15 he’s been in the grip of a severe heroin addiction.”

Mr Littlewood said Donaldson owed £1,400 to drug dealers who had threatened to kill him.

Donaldson was told he must serve up to half the sentence before he will be released on licence.

Hartlepool Mail

Animal Abandonment, Birds, farms / smallholdings, Food Production, Lifers

Hartlepool, County Durham: Jamie McCabe

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CONVICTED (2017) | James McCabe, born 30/05/1985, of 4 Sydenham Road, Hartlepool TS25 1QB – abandoned two hens and duck on an allotment to starve to death; remains of others found in bags

Jamie McCabe from Hartlepool abandoned birds he kept on an allotment
Jamie McCabe from Hartlepool abandoned birds he kept on an allotment

McCabe subjected the birds to “prolonged neglect” between August 27 and September 27, 2016, by failing to provide clean water and food for them.

John Ellwood, prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, said that an emaciated duck was found in a homemade pond alongside remains of a dead duck at McCabe’s allotment on Chester Road, in Hartlepool.

He said: “It looked like there had been carcasses on the ground and looked like they had been brushed up.”

After a visit from the council, three “plastic sacks” were discovered with the remains of “a number of dead poultry” including duck feet and feathers.

Mr Ellwood said: “These had been animals swept up with brushes”

Jamie McCabe from Hartlepool abandoned birds he kept on an allotment

The three birds who were still alive were then taken to a vet where it was found they had been “starved to the point of emaciation” and estimated them to have been neglected for up to four weeks.

In police interview, McCabe confirmed that most of the poultry had died and thought that “rats had got to them.”

The starved birds were subsequently nursed back to health and re-homed.

McCabe was found guilty in his absence of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal after he failed to show for trial.

Jamie McCabe from Hartlepool abandoned birds he kept on an allotment

Dave Smith, defending, said that “from the start he has contested this” and that his allotment was “ambushed” by another allotment owner after a feud.

He said: “The defendant had a dispute with another allotment owner who he says had been moving food.

“He accepts that he failed to attend the trial, however he was going through a recent diagnosis and an upheaval of his life.”

He added that it was “an upsetting incident for him and he has no desire to keep poultry in the future”.

Sentencing: 18 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months; 18-week curfew. Disqualified from keeping birds for the rest of his life.

Gazette Live