CONVICTED (2011) | Ian Procko (aka Caim Procko) of Ferrers Walk, St Ann’s, Nottingham NG3 2GN – kicked a dog in the head and stabbed him in the shoulder
The court heard that Ian Procko “flipped” when the dog bit his girlfriend, Georgia Burrows. He took the unnamed animal into the kitchen where he kicked him in the head before stabbing him in the shoulder. The dog survived the attack but was later put down due to an unrelated illness.
Following his court appearance, Procko was assaulted by two men. One attempted to stab him in the chest with a knife. The other attacked Procko with a machete resulting in him sustaining a hand injury. Procko jumped over a wall to escape. Two men were later questioned in connection with the incident.
Sentencing: 12-month community order of 135 hours’ unpaid work. He was not banned from keeping animals.
CONVICTED (2011) | Jeffrey Johnson aka JJ Johnson, born c. 1977, of 37 Forfar Street, Burnley BB11 4ER – convicted of hunting badgers with dogs.
Jeff ‘JJ’ Johnson with Leanne ‘LB’ Buck/Johnson
Johnson told the court that he had been digging close to a badger sett in Altham because his terrier had got trapped after chasing a rabbit down a hole. He denied having any interest in badgers but was convicted after a trial.
Johnson, a part-time window cleaner and father of three, was seen stood in a three foot deep hole with a spade in his hand by a badger enthusiast.
The enthusiast challenged Johnson and another man as to what they were doing and Johnson said something about digging for a fox.
He said they then ran off before the police arrived.
Johnson told the court he was walking his dogs, the terrier and a lurcher, in the area and they had been chasing rabbits. He said the dogs ran off and he found the lurcher near the entrance to what he now knew to be the badger sett.
Johnson could hear his dog crying underground and when she did not respond to his calls decided to go home for a spade so he could try and dig her out. He said he blocked the entrance to the sett so the dog would not get out and run away in his absence.
Johnson said he came back with a friend and while he was digging the dog emerged from the sett and his friend caught her.
Magistrates did not believe his version of events, however. Finding him guilty they fined him £270 and ordered him to pay £265 in costs.
CONVICTED (2011) | wildlife persecutors Mark Anthony Tiffin, born 2 September 1990, of 79 Downland Crescent, Knottingley WF11 0EJ, Ben Scott Lloyd Galsworthy, born 26 February 1978, of 1 Derwent Place, Knottingley WF11 0NL and Neil Burlingham, born c. 1975, of Clifford in Wetherby – caught hunting with dogs.
Mark Tiffen (left) and Ben Galsworthy
The trio, who were represented by Clive Rees, were found guilty of hunting a wild mammal with a dog but walked free from court with a conditional discharge.
All three men were arrested in Gateforth, Selby, in January 2010 after members of Selby Badger Watch reported seeing three men with dogs and shovels close to a badger sett which they were monitoring. The men denied they were hunting a wild mammal with a dog.
Tiffin told the court he had travelled with the other two men to look for rabbits, then to Hambleton Hough to “get rats out of mounds of muck”, before one of the dogs had run away.
The judge told the men that their stories were inconsistent whilst witnesses for the prosecution were credible and concise.
Tiffin, who at the time of his conviction was serving a 12-month prison sentence for causing death by dangerous driving, received a two-year conditional discharge.
Galsworthy and Burlingham also received two-year conditional discharges, and were ordered to pay costs of £500 each.
The two dogs, which had been examined by a vet at a cost of £2,092 were confiscated by the police but were later taken from the kennels by persons unknown.
Mark Tiffin was due to appear at Selby Magistrates Court on 24th March 2011 charged with being present at an animal fight. It is alleged that Tiffin used his mobile phone to record images of the animal fight and he faces a number of charges relating to this incident. Unfortunately no further details are available
Source: York Anti-Hunt League
Tiffin reportedly works as a ‘terrierman’ with the combined York and Ainsty South/Badsworth & Bramham Moor Hunt. Members of the York Anti-Hunt League took photographs of Tiffin, whose official role is to mend fences and open gates, during a “cubbing” meet.
Source: York Anti-Hunt League
He was pictured on a quad bike with spades clearly visible on the front of the vehicle. One disturbing image captured Tiffin literally with blood on his hands.
This is depraved Colin Sherlock formerly of Third Avenue, Dawlish, and now living in Queensway, Newton Abbot. In 2010 self-confessed boozer and doper Sherlock and twisted teenage accomplices Alex Archer and Jamie Jones from Teignmouth subjected a helpless cat to mental and physical torture.
Sickening video footage showed Sherlock being goaded by Archer and Jones, as he put the cat, Roxy, into a series of appliances, beginning with a microwave oven, then a tumble dryer and finally a freezer. The terrified cat was then submerged in a bowl of dishwater.
The entire horrific incident was filmed on a mobile phone by one of the teenagers. That footage was shared with a number of others and was eventually reported to the police. Sherlock was recognised by the distinctive crescent-shaped tattoo on the left-hand side of his face and a prosecution followed.
In November 2010 Sherlock was sentenced to 126 days in jail and barred from owning any animals for ten years.
Archer and Jones were given 12-month rehabilitation orders including supervision orders. They also had to take part in the ‘make amends project’ and carry out work to benefit the RSPCA
Despite her ordeal at the hands of the three brain-dead thugs, Roxy survived and was surrendered to the RSPCA. We understand that she was so traumatised she could not be made available for rehoming for several months.
CONVICTED (2010) | badger baiters Shaun Chapman, born 12/08/1981, of Rishworth Close, Bransholme, Hull HU7 5BG, Garry Arthur Douglas, born 21/07/1970, most recent known address Railway Cottages, Newport Road, Great Bridgeford ST18 9PR, and Terry Murray, born 1962 but now deceased, from Ottringham
L-R Shaun Chapman, Terry Murray, Garry Douglas
Shaun Chapman, Garry Douglas and Terry Murray were found guilty of a charge of interfering with a badger sett under section 3 of the Protection of Badgers’ Act 1992 following a one-day a trial at Hull Magistrates’ Court in September 2010.
The vile trio had denied disturbing the sett at Sunk Island, East Yorkshire, and claimed they were “bushing” for foxes and rabbits.
They were armed with two shovels, three terriers and an electronic dog collar locator when caught by Humberside Police.
2022 image of badger baiter Shaun Chapman
Chapman said his dog, a black Patterdale terrier, had gone into one of the holes of the sett after a fox.
He said he used a digital locator to follow his dog and the men used two spades to dig above the sett.
Douglas had his English bull terrier with him when arrested by the police. He said he had gone to East Yorkshire on invitation having met Chapman at a Welsh game fair. He said he didn’t go anywhere without his dog.
“I went out bushing to bolt a few foxes and rabbits,” said Douglas. “I didn’t dig.” Asked why not he laughed: “I’m too lazy.”
Douglas threw one of the spades away before the men left the area.
Humberside Police helicopter arrived at the scene and officers on the ground arrested the three defendants.
Their activities were captured on the force helicopter’s camera.
District Judge Frederick Rutherford told the men: “I found you approached a live sett knowing at the time it to be active.
“Your intention was to bait or kill animals by digging out the sett with the sole purpose of causing terror to a protected species.
“You had intended to cause extreme cruelty to the animals in this sett.”
The men were defended by Clive Rees.
Sentencing: 12-week suspended jail sentences; 200 hours of unpaid work; £2,000 each in costs.
CONVICTED (2010) | Arran Patrick Chaplin, born 05/03/1990, whose family home is at Flamstead Road, Ilkeston DE7 5LS but as of July 2020 he may be living in the vicinity of Watnall, Nottinghamshire – threw two kittens out of a bedroom window to their death
March 2020 image of Arran Chaplin
Manic Arran Chaplin killed the kittens before punching his girlfriend in the face, breaking her jaw. He then attacked her 12-year-old autistic brother who owned the kittens he had just killed.
Chaplin was already on bail for damaging a railway line when he flew into a drug-addled rage at his girlfriend Sarah Bacon ‘s Derbyshire home.
Derby Crown Court heard that Chaplin had gone to Miss Bacon’s home to pick up some belongings when he began trashing his partner’s room, and threw the cats out of the window.
Sentencing Chaplin to 18 months, Judge John Wait described the killing of the two kittens and the subsequent beatings as “appalling”.
#MostEvil | Gary Marshman, born 30/05/1983, originally from Black Abbey in Bradford but has lived at 27 Tennyson Avenue, Bridlington YO15 2EX for several years – stole an elderly couple’s border collie from outside a supermarket; dog found dead with injuries consistent with being thrown from height
Evil Gary Marshman stole an elderly couple’s dog from outside a supermarket. The dog, Jess (pictured), was found dead two days later having been thrown from a bridge.
In January 2010 Marshman who had a string of previous convictions including possession of a firearm and burglary, stole 12-year-old border collie Jess, beloved pet of retired couple Ron and Enid Bisby, from outside a supermarket in Cleckheaton.
Two days later Jess’s battered body was found in shallow water at the bottom of a viaduct. It appeared that she had been thrown from a bridge. Her collar and lead were found in bushes nearby.
CCTV cameras captured Marshman, who at the time was staying at a local bail hostel, going into the supermarket to buy socks. He was then shown running off with the dog.
Marshman refused to say if he had thrown to dog to her death and was convicted only of theft.
Enid Bisby spoke afterwards of the impact the loss of their pet had had on her and her husband. She said: “Jess was the love of our lives, so much so we had an artist paint a picture of her from a photograph. For this to happen to any dog would be terrible, but for it to happen to an old, trusting dog makes it even more upsetting.”
Jess was the much loved pet of elderly couple Ron and Enid Bisby, who have been left inconsolable by her loss.
Ron Bisby said: ““I have been unable to sleep properly. I feel numb and I miss my dog terribly. My wife feels she has aged 10 years and won’t leave the house. I can’t put a price on Jess. She is priceless to me.”
Sentencing: jailed for 26 weeks for theft. No ban.
CONVICTED (2009) | Ricky Jefferies, born 05/04/1979, previously of Edgeworth in Yate and as of 2020 of Stanshawe Crescent, Yate, Bristol BS37 4EW – kicked a hedgehog repeatedly in the street
The court heard that Jefferies kicked the hedgehog after discovering his fiancee of seven years was having an affair with his best friend.
Police saw Jefferies run towards the hedgehog and kick her six or seven metres, then kick her again.
Jefferies admitted inflicting unnecessary suffering to a wild animal when he appeared before North Avon magistrates on 02/07/2009. He was fined £140, ordered to pay £55 court costs and £15 towards the Victim Support Fund.
CONVICTED (2007) | Gordon Devenish, born c. 1966, of West Blackhall Street, Greenock PA15 1UY and John ‘Johnny’ Cathcart, born c. 1969, of Golf Course Road, Skelmorlie PA17 5BH – kicked a hedgehog to death
Johnny Cathcart (left) and Gordon Devenish used a defenceless hedgehog as a football
Self-employed joiner John Cathcart and his colleague Gordon Devenish kicked a hedgehog to death by using it as a football during a stag weekend. The pair admitted kicking the animal back and forth until it died as a result of its injuries.
Sheriff Robert McCreadie described it as an offensive act of wanton cruelty committed by two grown men.
“You should both be ashamed of yourselves. You are being publicly shamed in the dock today,” he said.
Sheriff McCreadie added: “I have noted that you have paid a sum of money to the SSPCA, possibly in an attempt to salve your conscience.”
Fiscal depute Stuart Richardson told the court that a number of police officers were in the area when they saw Devenish kicking the hedgehog across the road and Cathcart kicking it after him.
“Police then approached both to find out what they were doing,” Mr Richardson said. “The hedgehog was killed.”
Devenish claimed he saw an object lying in the street and decided to use it as a football.
He realised it was a hedgehog but decided to boot it several feet in the air anyway.
Solicitor Mark Alder, defending, said: “Both parties were drinking a large amount of alcohol on the day in question.
“They were out at a friend’s stag party.
“Both now accept responsibility for their actions.”
In his letter pleading guilty to the court, Cathcart said: “I deeply regret what I have done. As an animal lover I feel great remorse.
“I was intoxicated at the time of this offence, although I know this is no excuse for such a stupid and barbaric act.”
Sentencing: Devenish was fined £400 and Cathcart £360.
CONVICTED (2007) | Nasar Khan, born 13/03/1982, of 12 July Street, Blackburn BB1 1SR – turned a terraced house into a training centre for ‘fighting’ dogs
Khan pleaded guilty to eight charges of owning fighting dogs and one of allowing one of the dogs to be in a public place without a muzzle or lead.
Police found the nine illegal, unlicensed pit bull terriers chained up around a terraced property in July Street, Blackburn, after one escaped and began roaming the street.
The house, which was owned by Khan’s family, had been transformed into a pitbull training centre complete with a treadmill.
Isla Chilton, prosecuting, said: “Inside the house was a violent scene and there was blood splattered everywhere.
“There was no furniture and no lighting. It was just full of caged and chained dogs with a treadmill.
“There was a range of muscle-building tablets and powder found there.
“It is clear that these dogs had been trained to fight, a number of these dogs had relatively fresh scars on them. They are clearly not pets.
“The treadmill had a clip for the dogs’ collars which forced them to run, keeping them as fit as possible for fighting.
“These were not normal pit bulls. They were very aggressive and very dangerous.”
After police discovered the animals, which are banned under the 1991 Dangerous Dogs Act, a dog warden was called and they were taken to a kennel, Ms Chilton said.
The court heard the dogs were so vicious that after they were seized one of them escaped from his cage in the back of the dog warden’s van and mauled another so badly he had to be put down. All nine dogs were later euthanised.
Aftab Bakhat, defending, said his client was not training the dogs for fighting, but was “fascinated” by them and wanted them to grow big and muscular. He added that Khan was an “extremely stupid man” and did not realise that what he was doing was illegal.
District Judge Peter Ward said: “It is clear that these dogs were being trained to bite and the potential danger to the public was significant.”
Judge Ward continued: “He may have been naive but it seems to me that these are dogs that have been prepared for fighting and have been involved in some fighting.”
The cost of kenneling the dogs reached over £15,000. This was met by the taxpayer after unemployed Khan was jailed.
After the case, RSPCA spokesman Sophie Corless said: “Sadly large numbers of pitbull types are still being kept for the wrong reasons – seen as macho status symbols for the purpose of organised dog fighting.
“Either way the dog’s welfare is unnecessarily put at great risk by their owners. It is a brutal crime.”
