Farmer Richard Goode shot two German Shepherd dogs in Malvern and then attempted to cover his tracks by staging a false shooting scene in a nearby field. After killing the dogs, he moved their bodies to make it appear as though the shooting had been lawful and justified.
The offences took place in April 2025.
Goodelater admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and criminal damage. At a further hearing, he also pleaded guilty to committing an act with intent to pervert the course of justice.
Goode appeared at Worcester Crown Court on October 8, 2026, where the judge heard how he had deliberately manipulated the scene to mislead investigators. His actions were described as a calculated attempt to justify the shooting after the fact.
West Mercia Police confirmed they were unable to provide a custody photo of Goode.
A sheep trapped in brambles at Groes Farm, rescued by officers during the inspection.
Case Summary
Luke Morgan, of Groes Farm, Southerndown, Bridgend, was convicted of serious animal‑welfare offences following an investigation by Shared Regulatory Services (SRS) and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). Officers attended the farm in October 2025 after concerns were raised about the condition of sheep on the grazing land.
During the inspection, officers found multiple welfare breaches.
A sheep with a severe eye injury was discovered unable to stand, lying in a field where 15 carcasses were also present in varying stages of decomposition.
Another sheep was found trapped in dense brambles and required immediate rescue.
Several animals showed signs of poor condition, including wool loss, scratching and evidence of ill health.
Investigators also identified widespread animal by‑product issues, with carcasses, bones and body parts scattered across the grazing land.
Morgan was unable to produce medicine records and admitted he had not checked the flock for approximately a week.
Formal notices were issued under animal‑welfare and animal‑by‑product legislation, requiring urgent action.
Follow‑up visits throughout November 2025 recorded improvements, including veterinary involvement, treatment for a significant worm burden, updated medicine records and relocation of the flock for closer monitoring.
Despite this, SRS determined that enforcement action was necessary due to the seriousness of the original findings.
Morgan was interviewed under caution and the case was referred for prosecution. At court, magistrates described the situation as “the worst case of animal neglect” they had encountered, stating that Morgan “should be ashamed” of the conditions found.
Sentence
Morgan received a 24‑week custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months. He was ordered to pay £5,000 towards prosecution costs and a £154 victim surcharge.
The Shukers — responsible for neglect so severe it shocked even seasoned investigators.
Case Summary
A major livestock‑welfare prosecution involving Matthew Shuker and his wife Courtney Shuker (née Courtney Moss), both of Westwood Hall Farm, Leek.
These calves stood in the same pens where others starved, sickened and died — all while the Shukers ignored their suffering.
The pair were convicted of more than 30 offences relating to severe neglect of cattle and dogs between 2022 and 2023.
This case involved two separate investigations: one led by Staffordshire County Council’s Trading Standards department into the welfare of calves, and a second, independent investigation by the RSPCA into the treatment and death of a German Shepherd named Ruby.
Offender Overview
Name: Matthew William Shuker and Courtney Shuker (née Moss) Born: Matthew born January 1988; Courtney born September 1993 Age at Conviction: 38 and 32 Last Known Address: Westwood Hall Farm, Westwood Park Drive, Leek ST13 8NW Occupation: Livestock farmers Previous Convictions: None known Additional Information: Matthew’s defence cited severe mental‑health difficulties. Courtney’s defence referenced a difficult pregnancy during the offending period. The judge rejected the argument that incompetence excused the level of suffering.
Incident Details
Trading Standards Investigation (Calves)
Prosecutor Jane Sarginson, acting for Staffordshire County Council, told the court that Trading Standards officers attended the farm repeatedly over a 13‑month period, consistently raising concerns about calf welfare.
Findings included:
Several calves were severely underweight due to inadequate feeding.
Many animals had not received proper veterinary treatment.
The farm’s cattle had a 25% death rate, compared to a national average of 9%.
Dead calves were left exposed on the farm.
Animals were kept without sufficient dry bedding.
Faeces were found in feeding troughs.
More than 200 calves were seized in March 2023 after the Shukers failed to comply with an improvement notice. Despite this, the pair replenished the farm with additional calves, continuing the cycle of neglect.
RSPCA Investigation (Dogs)
The RSPCA launched a separate inquiry after a German Shepherd named Ruby was found dead in March 2023.
A post‑mortem revealed Ruby had been eating wood shavings and plastic, behaviour caused by extreme hunger. Her body had been left in her bed for five days.
Dog found sitting in a recessed trough area inside a narrow, deteriorated corridor.
Four additional dogs were surrendered to the RSPCA and have since been rehomed.
At the time of sentencing, Courtney Shuker still owned 33 horses. The court granted her 90 days to rehome them. The horses were noted to be well cared for, in contrast to the cattle and dogs.
Animal Victims
243 calves suffering neglect, malnutrition, and unlawful procedures
5 dogs (one deceased, four rehomed)
33 horses subsequently rehomed under court supervision
Sentence
Court: Telford Magistrates’ Court Date: 29 July 2026
Penalty:
Matthew Shuker received a 38‑week custodial sentence, suspended for 18 months. Courtney Shuker received a 26‑week custodial sentence, suspended for 18 months.
Matthew Shaker and his wife left calves dying, dogs starving and a community disgusted.
Length of Ban: Both defendants received a 12‑year ban on keeping livestock and a 10‑year ban on keeping companion animals. (Ban expiry dates: livestock ban until 2038; companion animal ban until 2036.)
Additional Orders: Matthew: 200 hours of unpaid work Courtney: 140 hours of unpaid work
Costs and Fines: Matthew: £400 fine plus £15,587 costs Courtney: £200 fine plus £15,354 costs
Mitigation:
Personal strain, mental‑health issues, and a difficult pregnancy were cited.
Trading Standards Statement
A spokesperson for Staffordshire County Council’s Trading Standards department described the calf neglect as one of the most serious cases they had dealt with, highlighting the scale of suffering and the exceptionally high mortality rate on the farm.
RSPCA Statement
An RSPCA inspector said Ruby’s condition and death were deeply distressing, noting the extreme hunger she endured and the circumstances in which her body was found.
Shukers Farm Shop Ltd, based in Weston Coyney, Stoke‑on‑Trent, is owned by Andrew, Debra and Luke Shuker, who are closely related to Matthew Shuker. The business is not connected to the offences committed at Westwood Hall Farm and has no involvement in the Trading Standards or RSPCA investigations.
The farm shop site hosts several independent businesses, including a veterinary practice, dog groomers, salon, K9 fertility clinic and café. These businesses rent units on the site and are not linked to the cruelty case.
Matthew and Courtney previously operated Shukers Pet & Animal Feeds from a unit at the farm shop. According to the farm shop owners, a serious family dispute over five years ago resulted in a complete breakdown in communication. They state they have not visited Westwood Hall Farm since before this disagreement and were unaware of the conditions there.
They say they questioned Matthew and Courtney about rumours over the years but were repeatedly assured that no wrongdoing had occurred. They say they were not informed of the truth or the court date until media reports were published.
The farm shop has publicly distanced itself from the Leek farm and urged the public not to target the independent businesses operating on their site.
CONVICTED (2026) | Mhairi Wilkinson, born c. 1981, of Stobo Hope Cottage, Stobo, near Peebles EH45 8NY – starved three horses to the point of emaciation; all put to sleep immediately.
Wilkinson admitted severe animal neglect in relation to a horse called Lady and ponies Tilly and Cara.
On February 26, 2025, officers from the Scottish SPCA visited the property at Stobo Hope Cottage where they came across a large number of various animals, including dogs, cats, poultry, sheep and horses. There were immediate concerns for three specific equines kept in hazardous and filthy conditions.
Two of the animals were left in a wet, muddy field completely stripped of grazing or supplementary food. The third pony was confined to a tiny, urine-soaked pen inside a shed completely devoid of clean, dry bedding or basic environmental enrichment.
Veterinary assessment revealed that all three animals were suffering from extreme emaciation, worn teeth, open skin sores, and widespread hair loss across their bodies.
On a standard health scale of 0 to 5 (where 5 is obese and 1 is emaciated), Wilkinson’s horse, Lady, registered a catastrophic Body Condition Score of 0.5. The two ponies, Tilly and Cara, both scored 1 out of 5.
The Scottish SPCA was preparing to remove the two horses and pony from her property but before that could happen Wilkinson called in a vet surgeon and the animals were euthanised.
Wilkinson admitted causing the three equines unnecessary suffering, which resulted in them being put down.
She failed to provide them with a nutritionally adequate diet, causing their bodies to be emaciated, teeth worn and they suffered skin sores at her home in Stobo, near Peebles, between December 26, 2024, and February 28, 2025.
Wilkinson’s lawyer said all the horses in his client’s care had now been removed as well as the sheep. The lawyer said she had been working as a groomer but had lost this employment and was now working as a shop assistant in Peebles.
Following the sentencing, the investigating Scottish SPCA inspector expressed deep concern over Wilkinson’s attitude throughout the legal process:”She showed a complete disregard for her animals’ welfare. She failed to meet the most basic welfare needs of her horse and ponies, causing them considerable and prolonged suffering.
“What is particularly concerning is that throughout this case, she appeared unable or unwilling to recognise the harm she had caused, showing no real understanding of the seriousness of her neglect and taking no responsibility for her actions.”
Sentencing | £750 fine. A five-year disqualification from owning, possessing, livering, or looking after horses or ponies on a commercial basis (expires July 2031).
CONVICTED (2026) | Ian Richard Kyle Wilson, born c. 1971, of Ballydermot Lane, Bellaghy, Magherafelt BT45 8LG – left dozens of cows and their calves to starve to death.
Wilson was banned from keeping any animal for life due to the extent of the suffering endured by the abandoned cattle at his farm on Hiltonstown Road, Portglenone, Ballymena BT44 8EQ.
Inspectors from DAERA attended the farm in May 2023 to investigate reports of dead livestock. They discovered “truly appalling” conditions where animals had been abandoned without sufficient food and water.
Multiple dead calves were found in a loader bucket, inside a farm pen, and hidden under plastic.
Nineteen surviving calves had to be humanely euthanised by veterinarians.
When contacted by officials, Wilson said he was in “Cornwall on holiday” and claimed he had instructed others to check on the cattle.
The court heard that serial animal abuser Wilson had a previous conviction from 2013 for causing unnecessary suffering to a cow who was not treated despite having a broken leg.
District Judge Nigel Broderick told Wilson: “You abandoned these animals and they were left to effectively die.”
Sentencing | eight-month custodial sentence, suspended for three years. Banned from owning, keeping, dealing, transporting, or influencing the care of any farmed or domestic animals for life.
CONVICTED (2026) | animal hoarder Anik Sexton, born c. 1955, of West Parley, Ferndown, Dorset BH22 – kept suffering animals in poor conditions.
Anik Sexton, has been banned from keeping animals for 10 years and ordered to pay over £79,000 in fines and costs for her abuse of multiple cats.
Sexton was convicted of five counts of causing unnecessary suffering to chickens and cats after a prosecution brought by the RSPCA.
Charity officers first visited Sexton’s home in 2020 and offered her advice on improving conditions for the animals in her care.
In September 2021 officers reattended the location and found widespread suffering, with chickens having untreated ailments related to their inadeuate housing and lack of bedding.. Thirteen birds had bumblefoot, respiratory disease, mite infestations and other preventable conditions.
Two cats were found in cages with no access to food and clean water. Both were underweight and suffering from severe dental disease.
A kitten named Timothy was found with a fractured spine, complete hind limb paralysis and infected wounds to her hind paws.
A vet concluded he was suffering from severe, continuous pain and recommended euthanisia.
Six cats were discovered living in small crates without food, water, or bedding.
Three of them, Boris, Dillon, and William, were in dirty cages with no bedding and little ventilation, showing signs of significant distress.
Cats Paul and Nell were underweight, with unkempt coats and severe dental disease, and blood tests confirmed dehydration and malnutrition.
Despite repeated warnings from the RSPCA, Sexton continued to deny any wrongdoing, later insisting in court that she had cared for animals for 15 years and attributed their poor health to age or breeding.
Sexton also told the court she kept the cats in crates because they hadn’t been neutered yet and she didn’t have the money yet to do so.
Following the sentencing hearing, RSPCA inspector Patrick Bailey said: “This was a large investigation involving a significant number of animals.
“Prior to the legal proceedings, my colleagues and I visited Miss Sexton on a number of occasions and each spent a considerable amount of time trying to educate and encourage her to make improvements to the way she kept her animals.”
He added: “It was distressing to see so many animals in small, dirty, unsuitable environments.
“We talked at length, offered help, practical advice and guidance [in 2020] and issued various improvement notices and warning notices requesting changes be made, yet we failed to see any significant improvement in the welfare of her animals and action needed to be taken.”
Sentencing | ordered to pay a fine of £8,000, costs of £71,720.28. 10-year ban which she can appeal after six years (expires June 2036).
CONVICTED (2026) | farmer Martin Beattie, born c. 1967, of Shantonagh Road, Fivemiletown BT75 – kept cattle and goats in atrocious conditions and breached farming regulations.
Beattie admitted 21 offences relating to animal welfare, animal by-products and veterinary medicines legislation.
The case followed a series of welfare inspections carried out by DAERA officers between January 2022 and January 2024.
Investigators described the environment as “breathtakingly incompetent,” noting that Beattie repeatedly ignored expert guidance on how to fix his holding.
Fields were severely poached (ruined by deep livestock trampling) and the main housing was poorly maintained with heavily soiled bedding.
Livestock had minimal access to food and water. What little feed was available was heavily contaminated with animal dung and urine.
Due to the levels of prolonged neglect, 29 cattle had to be euthanised on-site by veterinary officials to prevent further pain.
Inspectors also discovered approximately 33 animal carcasses and a quantity of animal bones on the farm.
Sentencing | six-month custodial suspended for two years; ordered to pay a fine of £2,100 and £15 offender levy. Disqualified for life from keeping, owning or participating in the keeping of animals, being party to any arrangement under which animals are kept, and from transporting or arranging the transport of animals. A deprivation order was also granted.
CONVICTED (2026) | David Wayne Erasmus, born September 1959, of Arlan Gwill, Pontarddulais, Swansea SA4 0UX – kept pigs and goats in appalling conditions.
Erasmus, a councillor with the Grovesend and Waungron Community Council,, pleaded guilty to three animal welfare offences in relation to 27 goats, kids, and pigs.
He housed animals in old windowless shipping containers awash with liquid faeces, urine and rotting food, and outdoor pens which were “just mud”.
Several pigs rescued from his land off Bolgoed Road in Pontarddulais died just days after being removed from his care.
Erasmus was also caught building a “dam” of animal bones and entrails in a stream which ran across the field.
In November 2023 officers from Swansea Council attended at the land and found a shipping container housing goats. The floor of the container was “saturated with urine and faeces” and covered with “significant amounts of putrefying waste food”.
Officers found pigs were being kept in an “extremely poor shelter” in conditions with a lack of water, no dry lying materials, and with a floor covered in liquid faeces. The pigs themselves were “contaminated with mud and faeces”.
A follow-up visit was conducted on January 9, 2024, when Erasmus was at the field.
Officers found goats “cowering” in the corner of a pitch-black shipping container, and the container itself smelled strongly of ammonia and had a floor “sodden with faeces and urine”.
The officers released the goats from the container – though some were at first unable to get to their feet.
The court heard that Erasmus was becoming “agitated” at the presence of council officers and at one stage started hammering nails into pieces of wood.
Officers noted the pig accommodation was “just mud” with only “filthy water” to drink. The pigs themselves were “clearly struggling in the cold and wet environment” and were “hock-deep in mud”. One pig was noted to be in “severe distress”.
All of the animals were seized on welfare grounds.
The following month the council received a tip-off that Erasmus had placed a new shipping container on the land and was keeping animals in it. Officers returned to the site and found Erasmus had restocked with goats.
Further visits were conducted in March and then in April when the goats were found to be living in “simply appalling conditions” in a dark container with a floor “thick with faeces” and with a strong smell of ammonia in the air.
Officers also found that Erasmus had “laid a trap” for the officers at an access point consisting of a wooden pallet with nails sticking through it.
Animal by-products were found in Erasmus’ vehicle, while animal skins, bones, and fat were found in feeding trays on the land.
The court heard Erasmus had two previous convictions for unrelated matters: for criminal damage in 1981, and common assault in 2014.
Matt Murphy, for Erasmus, said his client had “mental health and neurodiversity issues”, and had also been dealing with the emotional and financial impacts of a breakdown of a 28-year marriage, as well as a family bereavement.
Sentencing | 18-month community order with a mental health treatment requirement, and rehabilitation. Banned from keeping or having the care of animals indefinitely save for his pet dog and his mother’s cat and chickens.
CONVICTED (2026) | Alexander Michael John Blackwell, born November 1984, of Alder Carr Farm, Church Lane, Ashbourne DE6 2JR – for welfare offences in relation to 200 sheep, 100 poultry, 23 cows and 46 pigs.
An officer from Animal Plant Health Agency visited Alex Blackwell’s farm and found several sheep in poor condition, including one that was severely debilitated and unable to rise without help.
A full welfare inspection the next day discovered the farm was in a state of disrepair with scrap vehicles and broken livestock pens.
The pigs lacked access to water and appropriate bedding, and were very thin due to having to compete for food.
The pens were contaminated with hazardous debris and several pigs were roaming freely around the farm where they were exposed to hazards including car batteries and barbed wire, the court heard.
The remains of a dead cow were found inside one of the pens and others were found in poor condition.
The cows’ feeders were broken and no recent food provided, the court also heard.
‘Officers also noticed a pile of burnt silage and on the side were seven dead pigs, including piglets.
Additionally, there was a large bonfire, not yet set alight, which contained the remains of a sheep.
The law states that animal carcasses should be covered until properly disposed of.
Following a series of inspections between December 2024 and September 2025, recurring welfare breaches were uncovered along with a consistent failure to follow veterinary advice.
In a previous statement to the court, Blackwell stated he was being treated for mental health conditions including stress, anxiety and depression and had become overwhelmed with work on the farm.
He has since stopped farming and the site is now used for camping.
Sentencing | 12-month community order with 25 rehabilitation days and 150 hours of unpaid work; £4,000 in costs and a £114 victim surcharge. Banned from owning or managing livestock for 10 years (expires March 2036)
CONVICTED (2026) | serial anmal abuser Gillian Moir, born August 1979, of Oldmeldrum, Inverurie AB51 – severely neglected three pigs.
Moir, who was already banned from keeping all animals except sheep, pigs, cats and dogs following a 2024 cruelty conviction, admitted welfare breaches in relation to three pigs.
A Scottish SPCA inspector attended an address in Oldmeldrum on April 15, 2025, after a call was made to the charity’s helpline expressing concern for the pigs.
On arrival at the property, the inspector saw two pigs and six piglets outside in an electric-fenced area.
There was also piping coming out of the ground and a cable with an electric plug on the end which was not known to be live or not.
One of the pigs, the large white sow, had visible hip bones, ribs and spine and she had no muscle on her back end.
Her whole back end swayed when moving and her back legs would cross over when walking. She was the mother of the six piglets.
The other pig, a male Saddleback, appeared in reasonable to good condition.
Moir then took the inspector into a shed where there were four other pigs within an inside pen which was bedded with straw and water was available.
Both a male and female kunekune-type pig appeared to have itchy and red skin – the female also had very overgrown hooves.
The inspector also viewed the area where the outdoor pigs had access to. It had a small bedded straw area and was severely unkempt with bits of plastic lying around.
Moir signed over the pigs to the Scottish SPCA, and they were taken to one of the society’s centres.
The Scottish SPCA inspector said: “The condition of these pigs was totally unacceptable. No responsible owner would have let their health deteriorate in such a way. It was extremely saddening to see the sow in such poor condition.”
During a veterinary examination, the sow was found to be severely malnourished with a body condition score of one out of five.
The weight loss is most likely to have occurred over a minimum period due to the higher nutritional requirements of the sow with suckling piglets and the inappropriate feeding of the sow over this time.
There was also evidence of lice and hair loss on her skin.
Following a veterinary exam, the male kunekune pig was found to have reddened, inflamed skin behind the ears and around the neck, as well as areas of hair loss over the body.
The female kunekune pig had inflamed skin on the lower half of her body and almost complete hair loss. All four feet were overgrown and causing her to walk with abnormally flat feet.
Speaking after the hearing, a Scottish SPCA inspector said: “We are disappointed with the outcome and the court’s decision.”
“Given Ms Moir has previously been convicted of animal neglect, to find further animals neglected in this way is extremely disappointing.”
Sentencing | 12-month community payback order; fined £300; 10-year disqualification order applicable to certain species* (expires March 2036).
