Tag Archives: Peterborough

Dogs, hare coursing, hunting with dogs, Organised Animal Crime, Traveller Animal Crimes, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports

Eye, Cambridgeshire: Fred Holmes

November 18, 2023 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2023) | serial hare courser Fred Holmes, born c. 1963, of Eye View Travellers Site, Thorney Road, Eye, Peterborough PE6 7UA – for trespassing on private land and using dogs to chase and kill hares in Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire.

Traveller Fred Holmes was fined nearly £20k after being caught in Lincolnshire using dogs to kill hares

Following a report of hare coursing in Low Road, Crowland, on November 13, 2022, officers from Lincolnshire Police’s Rural Crime Action Team attended and located Fred Holmes, who appeared to be equipped with dogs on the land.

Holmes was subsequently charged with trespass in pursuit of hare and going equipped for trespass.

Northamptonshire Police joined the investigation as he was also suspected of hare coursing in Warmington on October 23, 2022.

Holmes was already subject to a community protection notice in Northamptonshire after committing similar offences previously, and his three lurcher-type dogs were seized alongside his mobile phone.

The joint force investigation resulted in Holmes being charged with two counts of trespass in pursuit of game, and two counts of being equipped to trespass in pursuit of hares.

Despite initially denying the Northamptonshire offences, at Boston Magistrates’ Court on November 10, 2023, he entered guilty pleas to all four counts.

Sentencing | ordered to pay £16,783.50 for the kennel costs of keeping the three dogs since their seizure, as well as fines for the two trespass offences and two victim surcharges, making a total of £18,557.50. Three-year criminal behaviour order which prevents him from entering any private land in Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire or Cambridgeshire with a sighthound, greyhound, long dog or lurcher type dog or cross breed, or being in the company of anyone with this kind of dog on private land, during the recognised hare coursing season (July 31 – April 30). Deprivation order for three dogs; forfeiture of thermal imaging equipment and a Citroen car. Banned from keeping dogs for 10 years (expires November 2033).

Spalding Voice
Peterborough Telegraph
ITV News

Dogs, hare coursing, hunting with dogs, Organised Animal Crime, Traveller Animal Crimes, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports

Wisbech / Peterborough / Spalding: Nelson Loveridge, Stacey Smith, Danny Rainford, Terry Smith

July 9, 2023 misanthropic 2 Comments

CONVICTED (2023) | hare coursing gang members Nelson Loveridge, born c. 1985, of 3 Maltmas Road, Friday Bridge, Wisbech PE14 9HR, Danny Rainford, born c. 1990, of Seadyke Caravan Park, Seadyke Road, Wisbech St Mary, Wisbech PE13 4XF, Stacey Smith, born c. 1984, of Baulkins Drove, Sutton St James, Spalding PE12 0JU and Terry Smith, born c. 1983, of Oxney Road, Peterborough PE1

Hare coursers Stacey Smith, Terry Smith, Danny Rainford, Nelson Loveridge

Travellers Nelson Loveridge, Stacey Smith, Danny Rainford and Terry Smith, who are all well known to police, pleaded guilty to being equipped for hare coursing.

Career crook Terry Smith, a convicted domestic abuser, appeared via video link. .

All four men, who are “landscape gardeners” by trade, had previous convictions for poaching.

They were arrested by Lincolnshire Police Rural Crime officers following a short pursuit for hare coursing in the Eastern Road area of Spalding on 9 November, 2022.

Police had been called to a suspected hare coursing incident nearby. A grey Volkswagen vehicle – which was not insured, had no MOT and was not registered to anyone – made off when officers arrived.

It was later found abandoned in Flag Lane, Whaplode Drove, alongside a number of recently-killed hares, said prosecutor Kate Minihane.

A dog handler traced the men nearby.

“A download from Terry Smith’s phone showed a hare coursing incident on the day of arrest but it couldn’t be pinpointed where that happened,” said the prosecutor.

“Three dogs were kept by police in kennels at large expense to the public purse.”

They belonged to Loveridge, Rainford and Stacey Smith. All of the dogs had been forfeited and rehomed since. A fourth dog was seized but no one accepted ownership.

Sentencing | four months’ imprisonment suspended for 24 months; a five-year criminal behaviour order not to enter Lincolnshire during the hare coursing season and be on land with a sight hound or be in company with any person with such a dog without permission. Six-month driving disqualification. all items used in connection with the offence have been forfeited, including their vehicle and their dogs. Stacy Smith, Nelson Loveridge and Danny Rainford have been required to pay £3,586 to recover the kennelling costs. They have also each received fines of £239. Disqualified from keeping dogs for five years (expires July 2028).

Spalding Today
Lincolnshire Police

Dogs, Domestic Violence - Animals Targeted, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers, Worst of the Worst

Dogsthorpe, City of Peterborough: Matthew Stark

June 26, 2023 misanthropic 3 Comments

CONVICTED (2023) | Matthew Stuart Stark aka Matthew Pinfold or Matt Ilett, born March 1981, from Peterborough – killed his partner’s two dogs during a relationship that left his victim ‘living in fear’.

Persistent domestic abuser and dog killer Matthew Stark aka Matthew Pinfold from Peterborough — Persistent domestic abuser and dog killer Matthew Stark aka Matthew Pinfold

Stark poisoned and strangled German Spitzes Ronnie and Tiki while his partner was out at work.

Ronnie and Tiki were killed by Matthew Stark aka Matt Ilett — Ronnie and Tiki

She realised something was wrong when she came home that evening and the animals weren’t waiting at the door to greet her. She found her pets in their beds and covered in faeces.

The dogs were rushed to the vets but nothing could be done to save them and they died as a result of their injuries.

Veterinary reports suggested that the dogs could have been poisoned and there was bruising around the chest and neck of the animals.

Stark, who has a long history of domestic violence, was arrested following the incident, in September 2022.

His victim fled to another address and told police that although she had lived in fear of Stark, hurting her dogs was the final straw.

Six months before the animals were killed, Stark had assaulted her and continued to verbally abuse her. She feared he would kill her.

He also isolated her from family and friends and downloaded an app on her phone so he could track her movements.

In court Stark pleaded guilty to controlling/coercive behaviour and two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.

He was sentenced to four years and eight months in prison.

Peterborough Matters
ITV News

Animal Abandonment, Dogs

Greenhithe, Kent: Joshua Exall

August 13, 2022 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2022) | Joshua Exall born 26 November 1996, previously of Whittlesey, Cambridgeshire, but currently of Davidson House, Knockhall Road, Greenhithe, Dartford DA9 9HE – left a dog alone in a property without food and water for up to two weeks.

Exall pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a female Staffordshire bull terrier-type dog named Shadow and to failing to take steps to ensure her needs were met

Victim Shadow as she was before being cruelly abandoned by her selfish owner, Josh Exall.

The RSPCA had received reports of a thin dog at a property in Whittlesey in January 2022. RSPCA Inspector Justin Stubbs had attended the property and had found an emaciated dog loose in the garden.

He contacted the police who attended and seized Shadow on welfare grounds and placed her in the care of the RSPCA.

Inside the house Inspector Stubbs saw two bowls in the kitchen. There was no food and little water. She had been left for days in the same blocked off area of the kitchen, and was only able to toilet in her own living space.

The RSPCA said the fact that there was no faeces there appears to suggest that Shadow had either eaten it due to hunger or that she had not been fed and therefore there was no food going through her to produce faeces.

Shadow was discovered in an emaciated condition in the kitchen of the property. Her food and water bowls were empty. A lack of faeces indicated that she had eaten them in desperation.

In his defence, Exall said he was very sorry and he should have done better for Shadow.

Speaking after the case Inspector Stubbs said: “Shadow’s owner had failed in the most basic needs, of supplying appropriate food and water, for a prolonged time.

Despite her ordeal Shadow, who was “skin and bone” greeted her rescuers enthusiastically. As well as emaciation, she was suffering from hair loss likely related to lack of nutrition.

“Shadow, was a particularly friendly dog, absolutely craving attention.

“She was left for days, with no exercise, no interaction with human or another dog, and had nothing to do in a small, bare kitchen.

“She was signed over and has been doing well in RSPCA care and has now been rehomed.

“I would like to express my thanks to the members of the public who had done all they could to help Shadow.”

Sentencing | 180 hours of unpaid work; costs and charges totalling £495. Disqualified from keeping animals for 10 years.

Peterborough Telegraph

Additional Information

Josh Exall is originally from Harlow in Essex.

animal fighting / baiting, Dogs, foxes, hunting with dogs, hunts, Organised Animal Crime, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports

Peterborough: George Adams

April 5, 2018 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2018) | huntsman George R Adams, born c. 1951, of Ramshill Cottages, Stamford Road, Peterborough PE6 7EZ – used a pack of hounds to kill a fox

Fitzwilliam huntsman George Adams was convicted of breaching the Hunting Act after hounds killed a fox.

Adams, a huntsman with the Fitzwilliam Hunt, was in charge of the pack of hounds when it killed a fox on January 1, 2016.

John Mease was cleared of all charges. — **Falconer John Mease was found not guilty of the charge and also not guilty of causing unnecessary cruelty to an animal relating to hunting of a fox in 2013**

The court heard that the hunt started in Wansford, Cambridgeshire and that the fox was eventually killed near Elton by the pack of hounds.

Adams’ co-defendant John Mease, of 3 Kennels Cottages, Milton Park, Peterborough PE6 7AB, who was present at the hunt with a golden eagle, was found not guilty after a court heard he used the bird of prey to catch animals, rather than a pack of dogs.

Mease was further cleared of causing unnecessary cruelty to an animal despite ‘dispatching’ another fox by driving a KNIFE through its eye after it was caught by his raptor in 2013.

The court heard from saboteurs Ruth Nichols and Stephen Milton, who had tracked the hunt.

Video footage shown to the court taken by Mr Milton, which involved around 40 hounds – with the sound of a hunting horn clearly heard.

Mr Milton said he had seen the hunt tracking the fox, and had not heard any calls to ward the dogs off from the fox.

Adams, who joined the Fitzwilliam Hunt in 1981 and became a huntsman in 1984, told the court he had not seen the fox before it was killed.

When asked if it was his intention to kill the fox with hounds, he said: ‘Absolutely not. We wanted to flush it out for the bird of prey.’

Mr Mease told the court there was no chance for him to release his golden eagle to catch the fox because the saboteurs were in the field, which would provide a risk to the bird.

He was asked why he never radioed Adams to call the hunt off.

He said: ‘A hunt is a fluid thing. It was changing minute by minute. It was the heat of the moment and it was the first time I had come across saboteurs in my 11 years.’

He told the court he was in charge of the bird but had no control over the pack of hounds, which was Adams’ responsibility.

Speaking after the trial, Hunt Saboteurs Association spokesperson Lee Moon said: ‘To anyone who witnessed the events on the day in question it was abundantly clear that a wild mammal was hunted and killed illegally, in a most gruesome manner.

‘Although a fox had to suffer and die due to the blatant and remorseless actions of the defendants we are pleased that hunt saboteurs were able to bring at least one of them to justice.

‘We would like to thank Cambridgeshire police who conducted a robust and unbiased investigation.

‘The loopholes and exemptions in the current act have always been cynically exploited by hunts in order to operate much as they would have done prior to the ban.

‘The guilty verdict proves that hunting with a full pack of hounds is not the same as Falconry and the judge in summing up confirmed as much.

‘The outcome will of course have wider reaching implications for all those hunts around the country who claim to use this exemption.

‘We will continue to vigorously oppose those who gain enjoyment from the torture and killing of our wildlife and will use all the tools at our disposal to those ends.

‘We have the overwhelming support of the general public who wish to see an end to the barbaric minority pastime.’

Sentencing | fined £1,000 and ordered to pay £950 costs.

Daily Mail

Bestiality / Zoophilia, Dogs, Lifers, Paedophiles / Sex Offenders, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers, Worst of the Worst

Ravensthorpe, Peterborough: Michael Garner

February 3, 2017 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2017) | Michael Garner, born 1966, of 13 Brookfurlong, Peterborough PE3 7LG – punched and sexually stimulated a dog on Facebook Live

Vile pervert and dog abuser Michael Garner of Ravensthorpe, Peterborough

Michael Garner appeared alongside brother Thomas Garner, born 09/02/1969 and of the same address, to face animal welfare charges after a video of the dog, an American bulldog named Roscoe, being abused was posted on Facebook.

Michael Garner pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal by punching the dog around the head. His brother pleaded not guilty and was set to face trial in June 2017. The outcome of the trial isn’t known.

Giles Beaumont prosecuting told the court that Michael Garner was seen on Facebook Live hitting the dog – owned by Thomas Garner – on or around the head at least 16 times after the dog had hold of his arm sleeve.

He said that Michael Garner “appears to sexually stimulate Roscoe with a glass object.”

Mr Beaumont added: “The dog has been goaded into this game.”

Roscoe suffered bruising to his lip as a result of the beating, and the court heard that a vet examining the American Bulldog believed he had been normalised to the treatment he suffered.

The court was shown the Facebook Live video where the punches can be seen. Pornography was also showing on a screen in the background.

The RSPCA had been alerted to the video by members of the public.

One person wrote on Facebook at the time:

Absolutely gutted and mortified to what I have just witnessed.
3 men done a live feed on a page called roast my selfie, watching porn, whilst performing sexual acts towards a white boxer dog then Antagonising it to fight back, As the dog fights back, one of the men start punching the dog and beating the hell out of it. All of this was live. I have contacted the rspca, RAID, a few peterborough selling sites etc and the police and I have an appointment with an officer at 10am tomorrow morning as there has been screen shots took of all what has happened. Never have I been so shocked, nauseous, disturbed and helpless to what I feel right now. People share his picture!!!! He needs to go viral!

Rebecca Keogh defending said: “It’s certainly unpleasant and uncomfortable viewing.

“It’s clear he was caught up in the incident. It does not excuse that behaviour but he was very drunk.

“If he was not drunk he would not have done it.

“It was lucky he was not seriously hurt goading a dog that size.”

Sentencing Michael Garner, District Judge Ken Sheraton said: “To be frank I see no sense in that behaviour, drunk or not.

“I see less sense why you would put this on Facebook to show to the world. I’m surprised you’ve reached the age you have and not come to your senses.”

Michael Garner has previous convictions in the last three years of producing cannabis and domestic abuse.

Sentencing: Michael Garner was given a six week prison sentence suspended for 12 months and a four-month curfew. £200 costs. Disqualified from keeping an animal or having control of an animal (period not given).

Peterborough Today

As noted above, Thomas Garner pleaded not guilty to failing to prevent unnecessary cruelty to an animal and failing to ensure the welfare of an animal and was set to face trial in June 2017. Unfortunately the media failed to report the outcome.

The abused dog, Roscoe, with his owner Thomas Garner of Peterborough — Thomas Garner pictured with abused dog Roscoe

In May 2017 Garner was found found guilty of two charges of assault by beating on September 6, 2016 in St Paul’s Road, Southsea, and given a community order.

Dogs

Dogsthorpe, Peterborough: Trudy Oakley

May 10, 2016 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2016) | Trudy Oakley, born 14/03/1970, of Redmile Walk, Peterborough PE1 4TW – allowed pet dog Pooch to suffer with excruciating eye condition for FIVE years.

Trudy Oakley left her dog Pooch to suffer an excruciatingly painful and uncomfortable eye condition for more than five years.

Staffy Pooch’s eye was in such a terrible state it appeared to be popping out of his skull.

Despite being told to have Pooch’s eye removed, his owner, Trudy Oakley, ignored vets’ pleas.

Pooch had to endure pain and suffering for another five years until he was seized by the police.

Pooch suffers from a congenital condition which caused his eye to erupt. Vets have now removed it and, although he is still undergoing treatment, fear he will also lose his other eye.

The RSPCA was alerted to Pooch’s plight in January 2016 after a tip-off from a member of the public.

Inspector Justin Stubbs went to Oakley’s home and was shocked by what greeted him.

“Pooch was in a terrible state and his eye looked horrendous,” he said. “It was like something out of a horror movie… His eyeball looked ready to pop out of his skull.

“Ms Oakley received veterinary advice in December 2010 to have Pooch’s eye removed but this was ignored and she failed to seek any further professional advice.

“That means poor Pooch was left suffering from what must have been an extremely painful and uncomfortable eye condition for more than five years. It’s just shocking.”

Pooch was removed from Oakley’s ownership and treated.

Sentence: two-year conditional discharge; £250 costs; banned from keeping animals for just one year.