CONVICTED (2020) | Scott Dan Preston, born c. 1978, of 31 Ladenham Road, Littlemore, Oxford OX4 6AZ – left a mothering dog to starve just weeks after she had given birth
Evil Preston allowed his pet Staffy, known as Looney, to starve until she was half a normal weight for her breed. The dog, who had had a litter of puppies just weeks earlier, was found in a collapsed state and weighing just 10kg.
Her skull and skeleton were prominent through her skin and there was a total lack of muscle.
Despite treatment to stabilise Looney through intravenous fluid, she started to fit and went into cardiac arrest after a few hours. Very sadly, she died in the veterinary surgery.
The fate of Looney’s puppies is not known.
Preston pleaded guilty to an animal welfare offence, following a prosecution by the RSPCA.
Inspector Andy Eddy, who investigated for the charity, said: “She weighed just 10kg and an average dog of her breed would weigh a minimum of 20kg so she was at least half of her correct body weight.
“Veterinary tests found no other problems that could have caused her condition and that correct feeding by the owner would have prevented this.
“The owner would have had plenty of opportunity to seek veterinary help sooner, sadly it was far too late for her to seek help when they did.”
Sentencing: a total of £385 costs and charges; Rehabilitation Activity Requirement. Five-year ban on keeping animals (expires October 2025).
CONVICTED (2020) | James Peter Backhouse, born 11 March 1980, and Brynne Sean Backhouse, born 6 December1965 of Ashdown Farm, Upper Hill Barn, Aston Tirrold, Didcot OX11 9DR – left sheep on their farm to suffer with maggot-infested feet and horrific injuries caused by chronic neglect
Former sheep farmer James Backhouse
When local authority inspectors visited the farm of brothers James and Brynne Backhouse they found sheep with maggot-infested feet and animal carcasses improperly disposed of. One sheep was found to have had her eyes pecked out because she was left unable to move.
The Backhouses, who also operate a motocross business called Ashdown Track Limited, were sentenced for 16 animal welfare and farming standards offences.
Following an initial visit to the farm by officers from Oxfordshire County Council Trading Standards Service, the two brothers were advised to seek veterinary help for their neglected sheep, however, when officers returned they discovered an illegal ‘dead pit’ where the men had disposed of dead animals.
James Backhouse with partner Sherrie Benning, who also lives on the farm
Prosecutors said that a number of the animals had experienced ‘unnecessary suffering’ and that minimal care was provided to them.
Detailing some of the neglect Kristiina Reed, prosecuting, said some sheep were found to have maggots in their feet eating at decomposing flesh.
A number of the animals were unable to stand and the court heard that some were in ‘significant pain’ from foot rot.
During an inspection the men were asked if they had treated the animals’ condition, called ‘fly strike’, and James Backhouse said ‘we never treat the lameness.’
Inspectors also saw five dead sheep visible in the field as well as the illegal ‘dead pit.’
One of the sheep, who was noted as being unable to stand on the first visit, was found to have had her eyes pecked out by the second day because she was unable to get up.
It was later revealed that the brothers had not kept appropriate medical records.
Prosecutor Reed described the neglect as ‘prolonged’ and said: “The injuries were allowed to develop and fester over a long period of time.
“The sheep sustained a high level of suffering from the injuries.”
Sentencing: ordered to pay a total of £13,170 each. Disqualified from owning sheep for two years (expired July 2022).
CONVICTED (2019) | Martin Edwards, born 14 November 1971, of Falcon Close, Oxford OX4 6EY – failed to treat his dog’s chronic skin condition.
Callous Martin Edwards failed to get his pet dog the treatment he needed for his painful skin condition.
Edwards was convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to his Labrador-Staffie cross called Terror by failing to treat his painful allergic dermatitis between 20 February and 20 March 2019.
RSPCA inspector Andy Eddy investigated Edwards after receiving a report of a neglected dog.
When Inspector Eddy arrived at Edwards’ home he noticed Terror was chewing on his back leg and there were bald patches in his fur.
Inspector Eddy advised Edwards to take his dog to the vet and gave him a voucher towards the costs. He failed to do so despite repeated advice and on 20 March Inspector Eddy took Terror to the vet himself.
Later that day an order was issued by Thames Valley Police to seize the dog.
Terror was found to be unwell, and the vet who later examined him said his body looked sore with lesions on his legs and an abdomen that looked infected. The vet also found mites in his skin.
During interview Edwards said how upset he was with himself he was for letting it get to the point where Terror was taken from him.
Edwards also revealed he had recently lost his mother and had been made redundant from BMW just before Christmas and as a result was struggling financially.
Terror went on to make a full recovery in the care of the RSPCA.
Sentencing | 18-month community order; total of £125 costs and charges. Banned from keeping animals for two years (expired).
CONVICTED (2019) | Emily Patricia Payne, who is also known as Emily Farmer, born c. 1985, of Manor Court, Banbury OX16 3JA – neglected two horses in her care
Emily Payne neglected two horses so badly that police had to seize them.
The RSPCA investigated the long-term neglect of a thoroughbred mare named Esp and a failure to meet the needs of a Welsh pony named Ruby.
A specialist equine vet performed a clinical examination of Esp and reported no clinical abnormalities, other than her having a very poor body condition.
The RSPCA rescued Esp and another horse from a Brackley field with empty hay troughs and water buckets
After being taken into care and given an appropriate diet, the horse’s weight rose from 454kg on August 31 to 482kg by September 12, leading the vet to conclude that the significant rise in body weight over such a short period of time, with no treatment other than dietary change, showed lack of food over several weeks was the cause of Esp’s emaciated state.
Ruby, a chestnut Welsh cross pony mare, was also rescued after being found to have overgrown hooves and untreated laminitis. Radiographs were taken and revealed excessive length of toe and rotation of the pedal bone, with chronic changes evident at the tip of the pedal bones.
The vet concluded that the pony’s needs were not being met due to pain from changes caused by laminitis, which should have been aided by remedial farriery.
Both horses were in a field that was bare with minimal grass, and empty hay troughs and water buckets.
RSPCA inspector Susan Haywood, who investigated for the animal welfare charity, said: “Cases like this are very sad as they could so easily be avoided. We hope it is a reminder that caring for horses is a huge responsibility and highlights the importance of ensuring their welfare.
“Wherever possible we offer advice and assistance to improve animal welfare, including giving people time to make improvements to their standards of care, however, despite advice from ourselves and vets, Payne continued to fail to provide appropriate care.”
Both horses have recovered while in care since they were rescued.
Payne had pleaded not guilty to offences last month but was convicted.
Sentencing | 18-week custodial sentence, suspended for 18 months; ordered to pay total of £1115. Disqualified from keeping equines for five years (expires August 2024).
CONVICTED (2019) | Ben Braham, born 2 September 1991, of Hampden Avenue, Thame OX9 2DT and Emma Louise Hendy, born November 1982, of Angus Court, Thame OX9 – failed to get veterinary treatment for their Shar Pei’s painful eye condition.
Emma Hendy and Ben Braham were both convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to a Shar Pei with untreated entropion
The court heard how the dog, named Flake, had been found ‘as a stray’ on May, 4 2018, more than six months after Braham had taken him to the vet to be diagnosed with entropion, a condition in which the eyelid rolls inward against the eyeball.
On this first trip to the vet, on October 17, 2017, Braham had been told to bring the dog back within a week for surgery but never did so. Instead he left him at Emma Hendy’s house, allowing the problem to fester and risking potential blindness.
The court heard how Braham had bought Flake as a puppy for £400 for Hendy and her children.
He bought him a cage and a lead and arranged vaccinations before he was scared off and severed contact with the family.
Despite this, he remained responsible for the pet and therefore had a duty to look after his welfare.
In her own trial Hendy claimed she had frequently urged Braham to take Flake to the vet and, when she did so herself, was told only the owner could arrange treatment.
Sentencing | Braham – total of £430 fines, costs and charges. The RSPCA had urged the court to impose a ban on him owning dogs in future but this was refused, meaning he will be able to continue living with another dog at home. Hendy – fined £640 including court costs and a victim surcharge. No ban.
#MostEvil | Callum Lee Gerken, born 6 January 1992, of Stanton Road, Oxford OX33 1DT – beat a Labrador puppy to death with a slipper
Shadow, a 17-week old black Labrador puppy, suffered a laceration to her liver, a broken jaw and fractured ribs in the vicious attack by Callum Gerken.
Gerken also sent malicious voice clip messages to Shadow’s owner, claiming ‘I have just beat it from one side of the room to the other.’
On Wednesday April 3, 2019, police were called to an address in Saunders Road, Oxford, where Gerken had caused serious injuries to the puppy.
Gerken was arrested on April 4 before being charged the following day.
The court heard that Gerken had become angry with the puppy for defecating inside and ruining items in the house by tearing them.
Shadow
He started repeatedly hitting the dog with a slipper.
When the animal was struggling to breathe, Gerken refused to get medical help.
Gerken Instagram post shows him petting a puppy that doted on him
Gerken sent voice clips to Shadow’s owner which amounted to malicious communications.
In the messages, he said the puppy had ‘sh*t everywhere. I have just beat it from one side of the room to the other.
‘I don’t give a fuck. That is how it will be with me. She ain’t gonna do that again because she cannot fucking walk.’
Gerken had previously denied the charges of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and sending malicious communications. But he changed his plea to guilty at the last minute.
Sentencing Gerken, magistrates told him: ‘The dog died as a result of what was done to her.
‘You were determined to cause harm and you made threats that you would cause further harm to the dog.
‘You were in a position of responsibility. You used a slipper as a weapon.
‘You did not call or take the dog to the vet or seek advice even though you were aware she was unwell.’
Supporters shouted ‘love you Cal, see you next week’ as he was taken away from the dock.
Sentencing | 23 weeks in prison; ordered to pay £250 compensation and £1,000 in court costs. Banned from keeping dogs for 10 years.
CONVICTED (2018) | Athena Nicholle Keene, born c. 1990, previously of Danesmoor, Banbury, Oxfordshire OX16 and currently of Wolverhampton – left a puppy to suffer with an untreated injury
Athena Keene left puppy Lola to suffer in agony with a broken leg
Athena Nicholle Keene was sentenced for causing unnecessary suffering to a puppy, named Lola, when she appeared before Banbury magistrates. Keene had failed to appear at a previous sentencing hearing.
Lola was rescued by the RSPCA after concerns were raised about Keene’s failure to provide treatment for the severe injury for five days in April 2018.
Keene, who was living in Banbury when the offence took place, had taken Lola to a vet on April 20 where it was discovered she had a broken leg, which Keene claimed had been caused by something falling on her.
Lola was given painkillers but her owner failed to heed veterinary advice and took her away with no further treatment.
Keene remained non-contactable for the next five days until concerned people contacted the RSPCA on April 26 who then visited Keene and discovered Lola was being left to suffer without the medical care she desperately needed.
RSPCA inspector Herchy Boal, who investigated for the animal welfare charity, said: “It is incredible to think that Lola was left to suffer and struggling in pain and that this agony was prolonged by the neglectful lack of action by Keene.
“There is never an excuse for leaving an animal to suffer needlessly where there is clearly an urgent need for veterinary treatment. Our pets are reliant on us and when an animal is injured it’s an owner’s duty to ensure they receive the veterinary care they need.”
She added: “There was no evidence to prove that the injury was deliberately inflicted but it is clear that there has been a failure to protect Lola from injury, and a huge failure in not providing appropriate treatment at the time of her injuries.”
Lola has since recovered and found a loving new home.
Sentencing: 100 hours of unpaid work; £385 in costs. Disqualified from keeping dogs for eight years, which cannot be appealed for five years (ban expires November 2026).
CONVICTED (2018) | Serena Reynoldson, born 27/03/1983, of Sealham Road, Witney OX29 7XU – filmed herself pouring thick bleach into her partner’s tropical fish tank and goaded him as the fish died
Serena Reynoldson killed the tropical fish to get back at her boyfriend
Mother-of-five Reynoldson was furious that boyfriend Jonathan Fitzpatrick had left her to deal with their children and family pets after an alleged affair.
She filmed herself pouring the poisonous substance into a tank belonging to Mr Fitzpatrick on 9 January 2018 and sent him the video as a WhatsApp message.
In the video Reynoldson can be seen holding an open bottle labelled thick bleach.
She says: “Seeing as it’s okay for you to have your hobbies but I can’t have mine, bleach right in there.”
She then pours the bleach into the tank, saying “eat it, drink it, good” as the fish swim towards the chemical adding: “die, die, die.”
Reynoldson continued: “If I can’t have no hobbies or a life you can’t have them and I’m not paying for it.”
She proceeds to taunt her ex-boyfriend as the fish start to float to the surface of the water calling him ‘selfish’ as she continues to add bleach from a second bottle.
Mr Fitzpatrick called police after the incident and the RSPCA were called in.
Reynoldson admitted a charge of causing unnecessary suffering to protected animals.
Investigating RSPCA inspector Andy Eddy said: “It’s shocking that the fish were killed during this deliberate vengeful intentional act.
“These fish would have suffered needlessly because of the levels of chlorine and ammonia being poured in the water by Serena Reynoldson.
“There is never an excuse for such heartless and unpleasant behaviour, or for showing such a lack of empathy towards any animal by behaving in this way.”
Sentencing | 18-week suspended prison sentence; £415 in court costs; banned from keeping fish for life.
CONVICTED (2018) | Rus Winstone, born 5 November 1979, of Church Road, Long Hanborough, Witney OX29 – subjected a dog to multiple brutal attacks.
Winstone, a footballer with local team Hailey FC, admitted two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.
The court heard how he had been looking after Bella for his cousin during two incidents of violence.
During each incident Bella suffered blunt force trauma causing injuries to her skull as well as an oral hematoma and a number of lacerations.
The court viewed footage in which Winstone hurled Bella across the room in a rage. He later slammed a door into her.
Winstone was arrested after the incident and told police that he had thrown the dog across the room because he was angry that she had urinated on his sofa.
The thug explained that he had shut the door on the animal because he was ‘frustrated’.
Magistrates heard a written report from the national probation service who interviewed Winstone ahead of the sentencing which stated he had shown ‘no remorse’ at what he had done.
Sentence: 200 hours of unpaid work within the community; 20-day rehabilitation activity requirement; total costs and charges of £285. Banned from keeping any animal for 10 years (expires August 2028).
CONVICTED (2018) | David K Blake and Anneke Maria Blake, owners of the Worton Organic Garden, Worton, near Cassington OX29 4SU and their employee, Jenejio Marques Fidel – for the illegal and inhumane slaughter of a ten-week-old piglet
David and Anneke Blake trading as Worton Organic Garden and their employee Jenejio Marques Fidel
The piglet had its feet bound before being illegally slaughtered in a way that inspectors said would cause a ‘prolonged death’.
The business owners David and Anneke Blake appeared alongside their employee Jenejio Marques Fidel, who carried out the unusual slaughter.
The court heard how officers from Oxfordshire Trading Standards first visited the farm in May 2017 after getting a complaint about illegal slaughter of animals.
When asked about the slaughtering of pigs, the Blakes admitted to the slaughtering of a 10-week-old piglet by Marques.
The court was shown the knife which Marques used to kill the pig.
They revealed the method of slaughter was by binding the feet of the pig then stabbing it through the heart.
This method of slaughter was identified by a Defra veterinary officer as leading to a ‘prolonged death’ and causing ‘distress and unnecessary suffering’.
The meat from the pig was then sold and eaten at the farm cafe, despite not complying with UK food safety legislation.
When officers went back for a second visit, they discovered evidence of medicines being used to treat pigs for worms.
But when questioned, Mr Blake admitted he did not keep any records on administering the medicines – a requirement under the Veterinary Medicines Regulations.
Again, the regulations are intended to ‘ensure the integrity’ and safety of food destined for human consumption.
The Blakes and Marques all pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and were apologetic for their actions, which they said was out of ignorance of the law.
They also gave assurances that they would follow the legal requirements in future.
David and Anneke Blake and their employee all admitted failing to comply with regulations relating to the welfare of animals at the time of killing. David Blake also admitted to failing to record details of veterinary medicinal products.
Oxfordshire County Council cabinet member for trading standards Judith Heathcoat said: “Rules are in place around the slaughter of animals and the keeping of livestock records for very good reasons, ensuring the safety and integrity of our food chain, not forgetting the need to prevent unnecessary suffering to animals.
“The vast majority of livestock keepers maintain very good farming standards and we will not tolerate those who undermine the system.”
Sentencing: David Blake – fined a total of £664 and ordered to pay £2,000 court costs and a £38 victim surcharge.
Anneke Blake – fined £230 and ordered to pay £1,000 costs and a £30 victim surcharge.
Marques, who gave his address as Rectory Cottage, Worton, was fined £150 and ordered to pay a £30 victim surcharge.
