Tag Archives: South Oxfordshire

Dogs, Lifers, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers

Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire: Josh Alexander

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CONVICTED (2021) | Joshua Elliott Alexander, born June 1989, of 20a Queen Street, Henley-on-Thames RG9 1AP – chased, intimidated and punched his pet dog

Dog abuser Josh Alexander from Henley on Thames

Company director Josh Alexander pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a black terrier named Goat and failing to ensure that his needs were met.

The IT specialist was caught on CCTV harming the dog between February 28 and March 8, 2020.

He was filmed chasing him along an alleyway next to his home and punching him.

Dog abuser Josh Alexander from Henley on Thames

After viewing the footage, presiding magistrate Chloe Jeffs told Alexander that he would be spared jail for the offences, which could have merited a 51-week prison sentence.

Miss Jeffs said: “This case is so serious that custody has been a strong option. We have thought long and hard about whether to send you to prison.

“We have more than 35 years’ experience on the bench and we have never seen footage as upsetting as what we have seen today when it comes to animal welfare.

“Your intimidating behaviour towards a dog who you claim to miss was cruel, mean and, frankly, quite shocking and to call yourself an animal lover is outrageous. We do not believe that you can be trusted to look after animals.”

Goat has since been rehomed by the RSCPA.

Dog abuser Josh Alexander from Henley on Thames

Nikki Denham, an investigator with the charity, said: “It is upsetting to see Goat cowering in the footage.

“I would like to thank the police and witnesses for reporting the matter as without people like them, the RSPCA would struggle to bring incidents like this to the attention of the courts.”

Sentencing: 12-month community order, with nine months of drug rehabilitation and 20 rehabilitation days; £690 costs. Banned from keeping animals for life.

Henley Standard
Reading Chronicle

farms / smallholdings, Food Production, Worst of the Worst

Didcot, Oxfordshire: James and Brynne Backhouse

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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

James Backhouse
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
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.

James Backhouse

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).

Oxford Mail

Dogs

Thame, Oxfordshire: Ben Braham and Emma Hendy

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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.

Dog abusers Emma Hendy and Ben Braham from Thame in Oxfordshire
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.

Oxford Mail 03/05/19
Oxford Mail 21/05/19