‘Not Guilty’ (2023) | huntsman Myles O’Connor, born c 1993, of 3 Greenwells Cottages, Melrose TD6 9HE – cleared of illegally hunting a fox with dogs.
Myles O’Connor, formerly a whipper-in with the Buccleuch Hunt, is now believed to be working for the Old Berkshire Hunt in Faringdon, Oxfordshire. Image credit: Scottish Borders Hunt Sabs
O’Connor, of the Buccleuch Hunt based in the Scottish Borders, was found not guilty of hunting a fox with dogs at Hume, near Kelso, on 22 December 2021.
It was claimed that a hound started chasing a fox after picking up a scent and nothing was done to stop the pursuit.
Myles O’Connor gets friendly with fellow wildlife killer Tim Allen, also of the Buccleuch Hunt. Source: Scottish Borders Hunt Sabs
However, Mark Moir KC said in his closing statement: “Mr O’Connor did not see the single hound chasing the fox and therefore was not deliberately involved in encouraging the hunting.”
After considering the evidence, Sheriff Peter Paterson agreed and delivered a not guilty verdict.
He said: “It is well known that cases of this nature involve highly emotive issues with a clear polar divide.
“That is not a matter for the court. It is for the court to apply the law.
“In this case, thankfully and possibly for the last time, this does not need the complexities of the 2002 Act.
“It boils down to whether the accused witnessed the single hound pursuing the fox and under the law I need to be satisfied beyond reasonable doubt.”
Sheriff Paterson said he agreed with Mr Moir’s position that O’Connor did not see the hound pursuing the fox and, if he had, he would have taken steps to recall that hound.
He added he had no difficulty in returning a not guilty verdict in this case.
O’Connor, who gave an address in Melrose, is no longer with the Buccleuch Hunt and is understood to be working for the Old Berkshire Hunt, which is based in Faringdon, Oxfordshire.
Robbie Marsland, director of the LACS, said it was disappointed with “yet another not guilty verdict”.
He said it showed the need for a “new, stronger law” to replace the 2002 act, which the group said had led to only one successful prosecution for mounted fox hunting.
CONVICTED (2021) | zoophiles Mark Findlater, born c. 1987, of Sidlaw Range, Kirriemuir DD8 5DW, Joshua Lee-Paterson, born c. 2000, of Millden Steading West, House West, Balmedie, Aberdeen AB23 8YY, and Jordan Turnbull, born c. 1992, of Meigle Street, Galashiels, TD1 1LN.
Horse rapists Jordan Turnbull (left) and Joshua Lee-Paterson
Jordan Turnbull and Joshua Lee-Paterson each admitted having an “unnatural connection” with separate horses at Cothal Farm in Fintray.
Serial offender Mark Findlater pictured during his previous prosecution case. He was said to have coerced the other two into raping the ponies
A third male, Mark Findlater, admitted a charge of distributing “obscene material” of his co-accused “engaging in sexual activities with horses”.
The incident happened in a small wooden stable in a field.
At the time, the Shetland ponies – named Jack and Ruby – were owned by Findlater.
The court heard Findlater was in a relationship with Turnbull and Lee-Paterson at different times.
Jordan Turnbull
Both men blamed him, claiming he controlled and manipulated them into attacking the horses.
Lee-Paterson said he was trying to protect the animals.
Prosecutor Colin Neilson told the court: “He said that Findlater had threatened to harm the horses if he didn’t carry out the acts.”
All of the depraved incidents, during which an air compression device was used, were captured on a mobile phone.
Findlater, who has a past conviction for possession of animal pornography, insisted he had not witnessed the sickening attacks and received the images on social media.
Between January 17 and February 11, 2020, Findlater sent a number of packages to people containing letters “describing the acts of bestiality undertaken by the co-accused” along with images depicting the acts.
The images were sent to various people including the manager of a hotel, residents of several farms and cottages, and a newspaper reporter.
Joshua Lee-Paterson
Solicitor Stuart Murray, representing Lee-Paterson, said the offence had taken place when his client was “on the cusp of turning 18”.
He added a court-ordered social work report contained discussion over concerns of “controlling and coercive behaviour” from Findlater.
Regarding the offence, Mr Murray went on: “He’s struggling to come to terms with the fact he has taken part in that type of behaviour.
“The report states Mr Paterson was not driven or motivated by any sexual attraction to animals.”
The solicitor said his client suffered from “worrying mental health issues and had been “coerced” into committing the offence.
Defence agent James Caird, representing Findlater, said: “He was not involved in the abuse of the animals or in any way present when the photos were taken.
“He received these images as a member of a social media group.”
Mr Caird said his client suffered from mental health problems, adding: “His position is he was a whistle-blower in this matter.”
The solicitor accepted Findlater had a previous conviction for possession of “similar material”.
Lawyer Mathew Patrick, appearing for Turnbull, said his client had also been pressured into committing the offence.
He said: “Were it not for that intimidation, it’s certain, Mr Turnbull’s position is, this offence would not have taken place.”
Mr Patrick said his client is “otherwise a respectable member of society” and runs his own firm.
He explained Turnbull suffered from psychological difficulties, added: “It does seem to me he’s easily open to suggestion and easily led and I wouldn’t be surprised at all if that played some part in this.”
Sentencing: Findlater – jailed for 13 months and two weeks. Lee-Paterson – 18 months supervision and 225 hours of unpaid work. He was also made subject to the notification requirements of the Sexual Offences Act for 18 months. Turnbull – jailed for seven months and made subject to the notification requirements for 10 years. None of them were banned from keeping or having access to animals.
Joshua Lee-Paterson gave his address in court as Bell Place, Bagshot, Surrey GU19 5NE.
Update October 2022
Operation Frankish 2 – Cage The Monsters (OF) revealed on their Facebook page that Jordan Turnbull was working as a coach driver with Edinburgh Coach Lines, and dealing with members of the public, including children, on a daily basis.
Suspecting that Edinburgh Coach Lines was unaware of their employee’s sick past, OF reached out but the company’s response was muted to say the least.
So OF went to the papers and on 18 October 2022 The Sun ran a story on the scandal, with their reporter confronting Turnbull at his workplace.
Like his (hopefully now former) employer, Turnbull had little to say.
Excellent work as ever by OF as another animal abuser learns the hard way that their vile behaviour will neither be forgiven, nor forgotten.
CONVICTED (2020) known pet peddlers Charlotte Amy Roberts, born 03/03/1991, of 274 Beech Avenue, Galashiels TD1 2LG – severely neglected a lizard
Charlotte Roberts (left) with wife Vickie Hay
Roberts, who together with wife Vickie Roberts (née Hay) is a notorious pet peddler with a history of allegedly selling on poorly kittens riddled with parasites, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to the pet.
Animal welfare officers said the Bosc monitor lizard was close to death when they raided the flat following the tip-off.
In addition to the lizard they found 13 cats, two dogs and a rabbit.
Roberts avoided a ban from owning all animals and has signed over her dogs and cats to the Scottish SPCA.
But there are are still two dogs, five cats and a fish living in the property as they are in the ownership of her 23-year-old wife Vickie Roberts.
Vickie Roberts’ not guilty plea to causing unnecessary suffering to the lizard was accepted by the Crown.
The court heard was told how a complaint was made to the Scottish SPCA about animal neglect at the property.
Charlotte Roberts admitted the lizard was in a “very bad” condition.
The court heard how it was motionless and in a state of collapse and had no access to water. The water dish was dry and was full of wood shavings.
Officers immediately removed the lizard for veterinary attention and it was found to be very weak and emaciated.
Its weight was 1.68 kilogrammes when it should be a healthy weight of between 2.5 and three kilogrammes.
The lizard had seven days of treatment which proved to be successful as the lizard was “fed back to life”. It has now been signed over to the Scottish SPCA.
The Crown had originally called for a ban on Charlotte Roberts owning all animals.
But after consulting the Scottish SPCA – who told them Roberts had been engaging well with them and also Lothian Cat Rescue – the motion was restricted to reptiles.
Depute fiscal Anna Robertson told the latest hearing the Scottish SPCA had spoken highly of Roberts’ attitude and that she had understood their stance over the lizard.
Ms Robertson said that as a result Charlotte Roberts had signed over her cats and one dog to the Scottish SPCA but said there were still animals in the Beech Avenue flat that had not been signed over as they belonged to Vickie Roberts.
She said there were still concerns as all the animals in the house had to be treated for fleas, the landlords Waverley Housing had a policy on the number of pets in their property and all vets in the area had indicated there were outstanding bills to be paid.
The fiscal added that it was understood there was a Go Fund Me page for a dog which had an ear infection.
Defence lawyer Colin Severin said that there were now two dogs, five cats and a fish in the property but added: “All remaining animals are in the ownership of her partner.”
Charlotte Roberts and Vickie Hay have been trawling Facebook for animals to buy and sell on for years. This post was from 2015.
As regards Charlotte Roberts he said, ‘she had taken on more than she could handle’, and there had been no malice involved.
He said a ban on keeping all animals would not be appropriate.
Sheriff Peter Paterson fined Charlotte Roberts £200 for causing unnecessary suffering to the lizard and banned her from keeping reptiles for two years.
But after hearing Charlotte Roberts has a joint Employment Support Allowance of £275 per fortnight with her partner, the sheriff said he found it “difficult to comprehend” how they could afford to keep the amount of cats and dogs they have.
Sentencing: fined £200. Banned from keeping reptiles for two years (expired 2022).
CONVICTED (2019) | gamekeeper Alan P Wilson, born c. 1958, of Henlaw Cottage, Longformacus, Duns TD11 3NT – killed dozens of wildlife on Longformacus Estate
Gamekeeper Alan Wilson from Duns in the Scottish Borders kept a kill list and dumped 1000 animals into a stink pit designed to attract birds of prey and other animals, which Wilson is suspected of shooting.
Wilson admitted nine charges including killing goshawks, buzzards, badgers and an otter.
The offences were committed on the Longformacus Estate in the Borders between March 2016 and June 2017.
One source said that Alan Wilson was hellbent on killing anything that moved
The court ruled Wilson was responsible for the deaths of numerous wildlife, including protected species. Investigators found animal corpses including otters, badgers, foxes, birds of prey and more when they searched Henlaw Wood in 2017.
A captive eagle owl which the Scottish SPCA suspects was being used as a live lure on birds of prey who were subsequently shot and killed was also discovered at Wilson’s residence. In 2018, Wilson was fined £400 and banned from keeping birds of prey for ten years for failing to ensure the welfare of the eagle owl.
After an investigation which involved experts from the Scottish SPCA’s special investigation unit (SIU), RSPB and Police Scotland, Wilson was found to have used techniques including illegally set snares and unlawful items such as banned pesticides and gin traps to trap and kill wildlife.
A land inspection also found ‘stink pits’, where dead animal carcasses are left to attract other wildlife. These ‘stink pits’ were surrounded by illegally set snares. Animal remains, including mammal skulls, were recovered.
investigators believe Wilson slaughtered thousands more animals.
One source claimed he was hell-bent on killing “everything that moved” except game birds on the estate that were being bred to be shot by wealthy clients.
One kill list found in Wilson’s home catalogued 1,071 dead animals – including cats, foxes, hedgehogs and stoats.
Sheriff Peter Paterson said the offences merited a jail term but he felt he was unable to impose one due to guidelines against short-term sentences.
“The sentencing options open to me at the moment do not reflect society’s views,” he added.
The court was told Wilson had pledged to no longer work as a gamekeeper and was now employed cutting trees.
Police welcomed the sentencing at Jedburgh Sheriff Court at the end of what they called a “complex inquiry” which had been a “large-scale” investigation.
“The illegal killing of birds of prey and protected species cannot, and will not, be tolerated, nor will the inhumane use of illegal traps and pesticides,” said Det Con Andy Loughlin.
An undercover Scottish SPCA investigator described it as a “despicable case of serious and systematic crimes to indiscriminately remove wildlife from an estate”.
“The sheer volume of dead wildlife discovered is truly shocking,” the investigator added.
“We will never know the total number of animals which perished due to Mr Wilson, though had it not been for the robust intervention of Police Scotland, the Scottish SPCA and our other partner agencies, many more would have suffered and perished.”
Sara Shaw, head of the Crown Office’s wildlife and environmental crime unit, said Wilson’s actions amounted to a “campaign of deliberate criminality”.
Duncan Orr-Ewing of RSPB Scotland called it an “absolutely appalling incident involving the illegal killing of a range of protected wildlife.”
Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture wildlife forensic scientist Dr Lucy Webster said the investigation had been an “excellent example” of partnership working to “bring a prolific wildlife criminal to justice”.
Robbie Marsland, director of the League Against Cruel Sports, described it as “one of the worst wildlife crime incidents in recent years”.
A spokesman for the Scottish Gamekeepers Association said Wilson’s actions were “unacceptable” and “entirely out of step” with conduct it expected from its members.
He said Wilson’s SGA membership would be terminated immediately.
Sentencing: 225 hours of unpaid work; restriction of liberty order.
CONVICTED (2019) | backyard breeders Dawn Veronica Hillbeck, born 6 August 1993, and partner Louise Marie Hillbeck, born 21 August 1995, formerly of Whisgills, Newcastleton TD9 and more recently Cambridge Road, Bromborough, Wirral CH62 7JA – arranged for illegal ear cropping on an American Bully puppy
Backyard breeders Dawn (left) and Louise Hillbeck gave their puppy a painful botched ear cropping job, stitched up with fishing line, so she was worth more money.
Dawn and Louise Hillbeck, who traded under the name BeckzBulliez, admitted being involved in the ear cropping of a puppy named Russia. The pair pleaded guilty to animal cruelty charges as a sheriff described the operation on Russia as a “butcher’s job”.
Four-month-old Russia had her ears chopped off and stitched with fishing wire, leaving her in pain with severely infected wounds
A vet who inspected the wounds of the pup said it had been carried out for “cosmetic” purposes and added it was “needless mutilation”.
Dawn Hillbeck pleaded guilty to a charge of failing to prevent the ear flaps being removed on a puppy under her care.
Louise Hillbeck admitted permitting Russia to be taken out of Scotland for the prohibited procedure.
The couple kept a number of American bully dogs with cropped ears at their home in Roxburghshire, Scotland.
The offence happened when the women were breeding American bullies – which sell for £5,000 each – at their then home in Newcastleton in the Scottish Borders.
Jedburgh Sheriff Court was told that ear-cropping was banned in most of Europe but was still allowed in the United States.
Procurator fiscal Graham Fraser explained that the American Bully was a new breed established in the 1990s from an American Pit Bull Terrier and an American Staffordshire terrier.
He said: “They are very strong looking dogs and some owners have their ears cropped for cosmetic reasons which makes them look mean and aggressive.”
Mr Fraser said the Scottish SPCA received information that the Hillbecks were involved in ear-cropping and went to their home in Newcastleton in April 2018 when they found Russia had recently had both earflaps removed.
He explained a nylon-type material had been used to stitch the wounds but they had been put in too tightly, the wounds were red and the dog looked in pain.
Mr Fraser said: “They failed to seek veterinary treatment for the wounds. One vet referred to it as cosmetic needless mutilation.”
The fiscal added he would be seeking an order disqualifying the women from owning animals due to their behaviour.
Russia was signed over to the Scottish SPCA during the investigation.
The women claimed the idea to ear crop the dog came from the co-owner, John Paton of breeding operation New Generation Bullies, who said they would need to do it for Russia if the dog was to do well in American Bully display shows.
Dawn Hillbeck’s lawyer said his client had been told the ear-cropping could be done in Poland where it was legal, but it was not stated in court where the operation had actually happened.
He said: “The pair have been naive in this to a certain extent. They were also told it would be good for the hygiene of the dog as well.
“They have learned their lesson. Disqualifying them from owing animals would be disproportionate.”
The court was told that Dawn Hillbeck owned four dogs and a horse which she would have to give up if she was banned.
On studying pictures of the dog’s wounds Sheriff Donald Ferguson described them as a “butcher’s job” and said the women knew full well it was illegal and the dog had suffered.
He added: “This was totally wrong and this animal suffered. On top of that you were doing it for profit.
“At the end of the day you were looking after this animal and it was your responsibility to look after it within the law and on a proper basis.”
Afterwards a Scottish SPCA spokeswoman said there was a growing trend in ear-cropped American bullies.
She explained: “We are pleased with the outcome of this case.
“Two years ago we didn’t have a single American bully in our care. However we are now seeing a worrying increase in the number of these dogs seized as a result of our investigations.
“The recent increase is entirely down to the current trend to own these dogs as a status pet.
“In the UK any surgical procedure carried out for purely aesthetic purposes is illegal. Ear cropping is one of these procedures.”
Sentencing: one-year Community Payback Order of 80 hours of unpaid work; five year disqualification order from breeding or dealing with animals (expires March 2024). Dawn Hillbeck is allowed to keep her four dogs and a horse subject to Scottish SPCA or RSPCA inspection.
CONVICTED (2016) | James McLelland, born c. 1949, of Deanhead Drive, Eyemouth TD14 5RZ – failed to provide veterinary treatment for his dog’s painful skin condition and flea infestation
McLelland was charged for failing to provide adequate and necessary veterinary attention for his four-year-old terrier named Trixie, contrary to the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006.
Trixie had very little hair along her back legs and her skin was thickened and dark grey. Her skin was raised in small hard boils with open wounds where she had been scratching due to a severe flea infestation.
Trixie was immediately taken to a vet where she was assessed and administered pain relief, steroids, antibiotics and flea treatment.
McLelland failed to provide even the most basic level of care for Trixie, to the extent where she was in a lot of pain due to the longstanding and untreated skin and flea condition.
With the proper treatment Trixie recovered and was rehomed.
Sentence: fined £300. Banned from owning animals for 5 years (expired December 2021).
CONVICTED (2008) | badger baiters Sean Dodds, born 01/08/1990, most recently of Queens Drive, Hawick TD9 8EP and Kyle Lawrie, born c. 1989, most recently of Church Lane, Hawick TD9 8DL
Sean Dodds (left) and Kyle Lawrie
Dodds and Lawrie were told that any civilised human being could only wonder at the “barbaric mindset” of people who saw the “warped activity”of badger baiting as entertainment or sport.
Both pleaded guilty to digging at a badger’s sett, which carries a jail sentence of up to three years.
Dodds admitted on another occasion wilfully killing a badger with a dog – the first conviction of its kind in Scotland – while at the same time Lawrie was digging at the sett.
They watched along with others as Dodds’ pet dog fought with a badger pulled from a sett for up to 20 minutes before the animal died.
The court was told police suspected Dodds was involved in badger-baiting after he posted an image of a dog killing the protected animal on his Bebo profile and later confessed his crimes to officers.
Several homes in the town were searched and a number of dogs, some which had injuries, were seized and handed over to the Scottish SPCA.
It led to six people from Hawick being charged with badger-baiting offences, but only Dodds and Lawrie were convicted.
Sheriff Kevin Drummond commented: “It is plain that there are persons, including these two accused, who have been engaging in badger digging in the Hawick area.
“Any civilised human being listening to the account of dogs being put down the badger setts wearing locator collars to drag badgers by their teeth to the waiting spectators where the badgers were kicked, abused, set upon by dogs and killed over a period, described on one account as lasting up to 15-20 minutes, can only wonder at the barbaric mindset of such people which sees this warped activity as entertainment or sport.
“That Dodds should then consider the activity appropriate to post a photograph on an internet site of a dog grappling with a badger tells us something of Mr Dodds’ state of mind.
“Had it not been for the assistance which Dodds provided to the police and his remorse which I have accepted in this case, I would have dealt with this by imprisonment.”
Lawyers for both youths claimed they had been influenced by others involved in the activity.
After the verdict, Superintendent Mike Flynn of the SSPCA said: “They were given a sentence which is a direct alternative to jail, so that is encouraging.
“It is also pleasing they have been banned from keeping dogs for five years.”
Ian Hutchison, species protection officer with Scottish Badgers, commented: “The sheriff has sent a clear message that this kind of cruelty will not be tolerated.
“A lot of work has gone into getting these convictions and hopefully those who were engaging in this practice will now be dissuaded.”
Inspector John Scott of Lothian and Borders Police, based in Hawick, said: “One of the attractive things about living in the Borders is the countryside, so it is important it is protected from activities like this.
“Quite often these are hidden crimes, so it is a positive result.
“It was not only the cruelty to the badgers, but the dangers they were putting their own pet dogs in as well.”
Sentencing: Dodds was ordered to carry out 200 hours community service as a direct alternative to custody, with Lawrie sentenced to 160 hours. Disqualified from having custody of a dog for a period of five years (expired January 2013).
