CONVICTED (2024) | Anthony Lloyd Wilkinson, born 10 October 1995, of Rhedyw Road, Llanllyfni, Caernarfon LL54 and Stephen Lee Jones, born October 1991, of Bro Rhos, Bethel, Caernarfon LL55 – for interfering with a badger sett.
Wilkinson and Lee Jones caused a dog to enter a badger sett, which resulted in it being damaged.
Appearing at Llandudno Magistrates Court on 16 October 2024, they pleaded guilty to the charges of interfering with, and damaging a badger sett.
The incident happened in Garndolbenmaen, Gwynedd, on January 7, 2024.
Enquiries by North Wales Police identified two suspects and search warrants were later carried out in partnership with the RSPCA on two addresses under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, resulting in two dogs being seized under the Animal Welfare Act.
The badger is a protected species, and it is illegal to kill, injure or capture them, or to interfere with their setts.
Sentencing | 12-week prison sentence, suspended for a year; ordered to pay £600 each towards the RSPCA’s costs. Disqualified from keeping dogs for four years (expires October 2028).