Tag Archives: High Peak

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

Animal Abandonment, Dogs, Lifers

Buxworth, Derbyshire: Clare Hobson

October 12, 2017 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2017) | Clare Hobson, born c. 1977, of Dollywood Close, Buxton, High Peak SK23 7NX – starved and neglected her dog

Clare Hobson of Dollywood Close in Buxworth, Derbyshire, UK.
starved and neglected her dog — Clare Hobson is banned from keeping dogs for life after neglecting and starving her dog

The court heard how mother-of-one Clare Hobson failed to address cross-breed Labrador Coco’s loss of weight and her poor body and skin condition.

Coco was neglected and starved by Clare Hobson of Dollywood Close in Buxworth, Derbyshire, UK. — Labrador Coco was left with Clare Hobson when her owner Leo Gibson moved out. Gibson faced no charges in connection with her neglect.

Prosecuting for the RSPCA, Andy Cash, told the hearing the charity had visited Hobson in 2016 over concerns about Coco. Hobson was given advice about the dog’s skin problems and apparent weight loss, but after a period of time Hobston stopped co-operating with the RSPCA.

Mr Cash added that the RSPCA had to execute a warrant to gain access to Hobson’s home to recover Coco, who went on to make a good recovery.

Coco should have weighed 20Kg but weighed only 14Kg when she was taken into the care of the RSPCA, according to Mr Cash.

A vet reported that Coco’s spine and ribs were visible from a distance and the dog had suffered from lesions and hair loss and also had a urinary tract infection.

Animal abuser: Clare Hobson from Buxworth, Derbyshire, UK

RSPCA inspector Heather Morris said: “Coco was such a sorry sight and she was in a poor condition. When we took her away, she was so quiet. She was clearly a very poorly dog and she looked really down.

“Coco really is a totally different dog today.

“It is hard to believe that she is the same dog who I took into our care earlier this year. Back then she was so quiet and clearly suffering, but now she is so playful and happy. It goes to show what difference love and care makes towards a dog.

“When I saw her the following week she was a completely different dog and the change in her was obvious.

“It was so nice to see the change in her demeanour. The problem was that Hobson quite simply was not feeding Coco and as a result Coco was getting thinner and weaker.”

Pictured is a fully fit and well Coco who recovered after she was starved and neglected by Clare Hobson of Dollywood Close in Buxworth, Derbyshire, UK. — Coco looking fully fit and well after being cared for by the RSPCA

Inspector Morris said: “Hobson did initially follow advice a year ago, but sadly she stopped following this advice earlier this year which led to us becoming involved again.

“Poor Coco’s skin condition seemed to be caused by an allergy to so many things – grass, dust, mites, pollen and fleas.

“If your pet is in clear discomfort then you are legally responsible to ensure they do not suffer – something which Hobson failed to do.

Hobson admitted there had been a lack of care but explained this had been down to a lack of funds.

The defendant pleaded guilty to failing to ensure Coco was protected from pain and suffering by not adequately investigating skin and weight problems between March and June 2017.

She also admitted causing unnecessary suffering by failing to address Coco’s poor body condition and to a further count of causing unnecessary suffering by failing to investigate a skin problem.

Dog abuser Clare Hobson with Leo Gibson, who left Coco behind when he moved out of the property he shared with Hobson and their daughter. He has since returned. — Dog abuser Clare Hobson with Leo Gibson, who left his dog behind when he moved out of the property he shared with Hobson and their daughter. He has since returned

Defence solicitor Lisa Tinsley told a previous hearing Coco had been Hobson’s partner Leo Gibson’s dog but that he had moved out, leaving the dog behind.

Hobson suffers with depression, according to Ms Tinsley, and she had child care issues and financial concerns.

Sentencing: 12-month community order with 120 hours of unpaid work; ordered to pay total of £765. Banned from keeping dogs for life.

ITV News

Dogs, Equine Abuse, horses and ponies, Lifers, Multiple Species, Paedophiles / Sex Offenders, Worst of the Worst

Buxton, Derbyshire: Janet and Anthony Melland

August 23, 2016 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2016) Janet Melland, born 9 February 1947, and son Anthony Melland, born 1 December 1970, of Beechcroft Cottage, Flagg, Buxton SK17 9QE – kept horses and dogs in conditions of filth and squalor.

Animal abuser Anthony Melland from Buxton, Derbyshire — Anthony Melland

The Mellands were hit with the lifetime disqualification after five horses were left in two dirty and humid shipping containers on their farm for at least 22 hours a day.

Anthony Melland pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a miniature Shetland pony called Robin. He also admitted failing to provide five equines, Robin, Alana, Vienna, Kiara and Victor, with a suitable environment.

Janet Melland pleaded guilty to failing to provide three dogs, Spot, Mini and Ruby, with a suitable environment.

Horses and dogs were kept in horrific conditions on the farm owned by Anthony Melland and his mother Janet Melland

Prosecutor Kevin Worthington said an RSPCA inspector and a vet visited the Mellands’ Greatlow Farm on Ashbourne Road, Flagg, on February 10, 2016, and found two ‘large shipping containers’.

Inside one were two Shetland ponies including Robin who was in a ‘very poor body condition’ and had ‘nasal discharge’.

Another container, housing mares and a foal with overgrown hooves, was covered with faeces and had poor ventilation.

The inspector and vet then went inside the Mellands’ home and found three dogs in a ‘filthy, dirty’ area covered with faeces.

RSPCA inspector Heather Morris, who investigated the case, said: “When we visited the farm in February, we found two Shetland ponies, Robin and Alana, being kept in a plastic shipping container which was extremely humid inside and with no fresh air.

“It was very small, there was no hay and the water was dirty. Additionally, the floor of the container was absolutely soaking and Robin was very skinny.

“We also found two adult cob horses and a cob foal – Vienna, Kiara and Victor – in a metal shipping container. “The conditions in this container were just as horrific.

“In interview, it was admitted that the horses were shut away in the containers for at least 22 hours a day.

“On top of that, we also found three dogs – a Jack Russell, a poodle-type and a border terrier – living in an outhouse, covered in faeces and with no clean water. “It was absolutely appalling that the animals were shut away in these horrific conditions.

“The containers were humid and absolutely stunk. For them to be locked away for that period of time with no fresh air is absolutely horrendous.”

Allana found a new home through World Horse Welfare’s rehoming scheme, while Victor, Vienna and Kiara were still with the charity undergoing rehabilitation.

Robin had to be put down after a few weeks at Penny Farm as he failed to respond to treatment for dental problems and a sinus infection.

The three dogs — Spot, Mini and Ruby — were rehomed by the RSPCA.

Inspector Morris added: “We worked together with World Horse Welfare, Derbyshire police and the local trading standards in this case and we are very grateful for their help.”

Sentencing |
Anthony Melland: six-week prison sentence suspended for 12 months, 150 hours of unpaid work, £400 costs.
Janet Melland: 16-week curfew, £400 costs.
Both banned from keeping horses for life.

Buxton Advertiser
Horse and Hound

Additional Information

In September 2021 Anthony Melland was stung by a paedophile hunting group for the third time for online sexual grooming of a child.

When the group turned up at Melland’s farm to confront him with their evidence, they caught him in his van masturbating while chatting to a child on the internet.

The group said that Melland had discussed bestiality with their decoy and the possibility of involving a child in that kind of depraved activity.

The group described Melland as “a very dangerous man” and warned parents to check their children’s devices for the name ‘Smith Mark’.

During a previous visit to Melland’s farm by paedophile hunting group Predator Exposure in February 2019 several dogs were found apparently living in squalid conditions. The group reported the matter to the RSPCA but it’s unknown if Melland ever faced further prosecution for animal cruelty.

Animal Abandonment, Dogs, Worst of the Worst

St Day, Cornwall: Shane Pott

August 21, 2012 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2012) | Shane Maurice Pott aka Shane Barton, born 27 July 1983, previously of Chinley, High Peak, Derbyshire, but as of 2022 believed to be in St Day, Redruth, Cornwall – abandoned his two Jack Russell dogs when he moved house, leaving them so hungry that one ate the other

Shane Pott allowed one of his Jack Russells to starve to death with another forced to eat her remains after leaving the pair without food for a month.

RSPCA Inspector Lorna Campbell told the court how she had been called to the house in Furness Vale, Derbyshire, by a concerned member of the public in February 2012.

She described the moment she found the two Jack Russells – Nala, a female and Simba, a male – as “horrific”.

“When I saw Simba at the window it was obvious he was emaciated and when I looked in, I saw what I thought was a toy he’d chewed up.

“It took a moment before I realised the full horror of what it actually was, the remains of Nala. It was devastating,” she said.

The dogs’ owner, Shane Pott, had been offered advice by the RSPCA in July 2011. He was also given neutering vouchers and had had a third dog rehomed.

Ms Campbell added Simba’s survival was a “miracle”.

“The conditions in the house were terrible. The place was covered in faeces and the floor was slippery with urine.

“There was a shredded dog food bag on the floor, an empty tub of gravy granules, chewed towels and what was left of his companion.

“Tragically there was a bag of dog biscuits on the worktop which looked as though the dogs had been trying to reach it, but it was just too high,” she said.

Pott’s solicitor told the court his client had been finding it difficult to manage his responsibilities and moved with his children to stay at his mother’s home in Chapel-en-le-Frith, Derbyshire.

In court Pott, who was apparently a social worker, admitted two charges of causing unnecessary suffering.

Simba recovered and was rehomed by the RSPCA.

Sentencing | 18-week custodial term; £500 in costs. 10-year ban, which expired August 2022.

BBC News

UK Animal Cruelty Files