CONVICTED (2021) | Adam Neil Patterson, born c. 1997, of Margreen Farm Collingbourne Road, Burbage, Marlborough SN8 3RT and partner Fay Ellena Spanswick, born 1 June 1998, of The Dairy, Bath Road, Devizes SN10 – filmed hitting, kicking and pinning down a Shetland pony
Codefendants Fay Spanswick and Adam Patterson pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal between 13 and 17 April 2020.
Prosecuting for the RSPCA, Matthew Knight told the court the pair were filmed by a witness training the pony in a field off Westcourt Lane, Burbage, using “aggressive and inappropriate” methods.
During the two videos filmed by the witness – lasting a total of 100 minutes – Fred, owned by Spanswick, was seen to be subjected to kicks and blows from the defendants. He was also jumped upon and forcibly pinned to the ground. The footage also showed the pair inflicting blows from a piece of piping and a riding crop.
Fred was not seriously injured despite the brutal training methods he was subjected to
Whilst Mr Knight accepted it wasn’t purposeful harm inflicted on the pony, the pair used violent and inappropriate methods of training which would have been “very frightening” for the animal.
The Shetland pony, aged 11 months, didn’t suffer any lasting injuries and has since been signed over to the RSPCA.
Sentencing: Both were given a 12-week custodial sentence, suspended for 19 months, and ordered to complete 120 hours of unpaid work and 20 rehabilitation activity days. The pair were also disqualified from owning or having contact with equines for five years (expires May 2026). The ruling can be appealed after two years.
CONVICTED (2021) | illegal puppy dealer Leonard ‘Lenny’ Greenough, born 30 November 1982, of 1 Newton Bungalows, Whiteparish, Salisbury SP5 2SN – sold dozens of puppies online without a licence
Traveller Leonard Greenough, who is also a bloodsports fanatic, pleaded guilty to selling animals without a licence.
Registered charity Animal Protection Services, which brought a private prosecution against the father-of-four, told the court that he had placed nine advertisements on classified ads website Pets for Homes between June and November 2020. Breeds advertised included cocker spaniel, lurcher Patterdale crosses and ‘Jackapoos’ with a total estimated value of around £16,700.
Greenough’s lawyer claimed her client – whom she described as a “hobbyist” breeder – had listed dogs online on behalf of friends with no access to the internet.
She said: “He doesn’t own all of these puppies and therefore any profit would have gone to the owners and not to him. He has to plead guilty to the fact he was selling these [dogs] without a licence.”
The presiding magistrate said the bench accepted that Greenough’s failure to obtain a pet shop licence “was an oversight on your part rather than any concerted attempt to go into the puppy farming business, as it were.”
Sentencing: fined £193 and ordered to pay £234 in costs and surcharge. He was not banned from owning or dealing in dogs.
CONVICTED (2020) | Sophia Morton, born 11/11/1996, of Frome House, Sandalwood Road, Westbury BA13 3TY – left her pet bearded dragon to starve to death
Mother-of-one Sophia Morton failed to feed or water her bearded dragon, named Ellie, for a month – resulting in the reptile’s death.
Morton was convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal in March 2020. She initially failed to attend court and a warrant was issued for her arrest. Morton later appeared by video link from Melksham Police Station.
The RSPCA brought the case after vets were forced to put Ellie to sleep when she developed metabolic bone disease from malnutrition.
Failing again to attend court, Morton was sentenced in her absence.
Sentencing: 12 weeks’ imprisonment suspended for two years; 80 hours of unpaid work; costs and charges totalling £328. Five-year ban on keeping animals (expires October 2025).
CONVICTED (2020) | horse abattoir operator Stephen John Potter, born April 1965, of Whistley Farm, Whistley Lane, West Harptree BS40 6HD
Stephen John Potter has grown rich on the back of his shoddy businesses. Photo on right shows a pony being put down at one of his abattoirs. Source: Daily Mail
Two businesses, F Drury & Sons Ltd, of Tockenham Corner, Swindon, SN4 7PF and LJ Potter Ltd of Whistley Farm, West Harptree BS40 6HD together with Stephen Potter, who is the director of both companies, were found guilty of animal welfare offences following a prosecution brought by Wiltshire Council Trading Standards.
On 22nd October 2018, LJ Potter Ltd transported a horse from Northern Ireland along with a consignment of other horses to Drury’s abattoir. The lorry arrived at the abattoir late at night and as the horses were being unloaded from the lorry, a grey mare was found to be lying on her side and unable to rise. CCTV footage viewed by the court showed the horse attempting to stand five times, but continually falling over until eventually she managed to stand unable to bear weight on her right fore leg and reluctant to move.
Abhorrent cruelty: the grey mare couldn’t walk and or breathe but was left to suffer for several hours by Stephen Potter’s company
The court heard evidence from expert witnesses who viewed the CCTV footage that in their opinion, at that stage, either a vet should have been called to assess the condition of the horse, or she should have been put down. Instead, the court heard that Stephen Potter, who was not present at the abattoir but was viewing the unloading of the horses, instructed the driver to transport the grey mare on a further journey from the abattoir to his farm in Somerset.
The vehicle departed but soon returned to the abattoir as the horse had somehow managed to stand during the journey. The horse was unloaded from the vehicle and CCTV footage showed her being unable to walk on her front leg. Experts giving evidence for the prosecution were clear that the horse was suffering, needed urgent veterinary attention and was not fit to be transported.
The mare was left alone in the lairage at the abattoir overnight until she was noticed by the vet on duty at the abattoir early in the morning. He took the view that the animal was in a severe condition, breathing rapidly, distressed and therefore needed immediate destruction.
District Judge, Tim Pattinson, said that Potter ‘had made an error of judgement that had resulted in a horse suffering for several hours which could, and should have been avoided. In this country we expect high standards of animal welfare especially in commercial activity’.
Judge Pattinson also said that Potter had shown an excessively relaxed approach to the problem and had underplayed the pain and suffering of the horse.
The case, brought by Wiltshire Council Trading Standards, resulted in a total penalty of £22,170 divided between the two companies and Stephen Potter and included costs of £10,000 awarded to Wiltshire Council.
In November 2010 Animal Aid exposed shocking cruelty at F R Drury. Undercover footage obtained by the group showed sheep being decapitated whilst still alive, calves slipping and collapsing repeatedly to the floor for three hours and goats leaping into the killing area to try to evade the stunning tongs.
CONVICTED (2020) | greyhound breeder/trainer Clive Donald Elliott, born 19/11/1979, of 35 Limes Avenue, Swindon SN2 1QQ – convicted of multiple counts of cruelty towards dogs in his care
Clive Elliott binged on drink and drugs while his dogs starved in kennels at the home he now shares with his mother. When police and an RSPCA officer visited the property they found one dog stuffed in a freezer, two others dead on the floor and other animals starved.
The greyhound trainer and breeder, who had inherited a number of dogs from his late father, left the animals unfed for around four days.
The shocking conditions some of Clive Elliott’s greyhounds were found in
But a vet who examined the stricken animals after they were rescued from their kennel suggested the dogs had been subject to weeks or possibly months of neglect.
RSPCA prosecutor Matthew Knight said officers had found eight dogs. Three were dead, including one that had been put into a bin liner and stuffed into a chest freezer.
“There was no dog food whatsoever in the property,” the solicitor said.
The five other dogs were in a poor condition. Their nails were overgrown, some had abscesses and scurvy.
An abscess on the leg of one dog
One of the animals had a severe mouth ulcer, which Elliott later admitted knowing about. The dog initially wolfed down food but died a week later after his condition deteriorated.
Autopsies were carried out on the dead dogs. The bone marrow of one was a glutinous liquid – the result of poor nutrition. The vet said it would have taken weeks or possibly months to reach that stage.
As an example of how poorly nourished the greyhounds were, Mr Knight said one dog had increased in weight by a third in just one month after it was taken from the house. He said: “The vet puts this purely down to providing the proper food.”
Interviewed by the authorities, Elliott said matters had deteriorated after the breakdown of a relationship. He had turned to drink and drugs and did not ask for help as he was “too proud”.
Shameless dog killer: Clive Elliott pictured outside court
He told the RSPCA his mother, who has dementia, would have fed them had there been any dog food. He added: “There wasn’t any food for my mum that’s how low I was.”
The dogs Elliott was accused of having neglected were racing as recently as January 2019. Racing cards suggest Gemstone Bobbie, who added a third to his body weight after being rescued, was at the Swindon track twice that month. “C D Elliott” was the trainer
Elliott’s lawyer Terry McCarthy of Jeary & Lewis Solicitors said his client had inherited dogs after the death of his father in 2014.
He had owned his own printing business and was looking after the dogs on the side. He changed jobs, working night shifts and caring for the animals during the day.
He found he was not coping well and, when his relationship broke down, matters spiralled.
“Things went wrong there and Mr Elliott was affected by the breakdown,” Mr McCarthy said.
“It seems some dogs were removed from him by someone his ex-partner met and the problems with the breakdown and the lack of income got in top of him.
“There is reference to the back problem you have heard about for which he has been prescribed medication.”
Elliott had been abusing prescription medication on top of that. “It’s my feeling that Mr Elliott was suffering at the time from severe depression. It’s unfortunate that he didn’t go and see a doctor and there is no medical evidence to confirm it.
“It’s quite obvious that as a result of that depression he wasn’t coping with anything.
“You’ve read in the report he couldn’t bring himself to look after his mother properly – as well as his dogs.
“Some of the dogs I think you’ve heard about were owned by another person. That person did not provide food for them either.
“Mr Elliott had no money.”
Chairman of the bench Jane Durrant said Elliott had shown no evidence of remorse.
“The pictures we have been shown are extremely distressing and the number of dogs and the level of suffering they endured is really quite appalling,” she said.
“The distress caused to these dogs was just quite unbelievable.”
Elliott did not appear to react as the sentence was read out.
Sentencing: 20 weeks’ imprisonment. Ordered to pay a total of £872 costs and charges. Banned from owning dogs for life.
CONVICTED (2019) | career criminal William George Sheen, born 1996, of no fixed abode, but originally from the Merryweather Estate in Ringwood BH24 1UL and with links to Bournemouth and Salisbury – hit a police dog with a large tin of baked beans.
Career criminal, lifelong loser, animal abuser: William Sheen from Ringwood in Hampshire
Sheen admitted arson, assaulting an emergency worker and causing unnecessary suffering to a service dog.
The court was told he had been causing a disturbance at the pub on Old Christchurch Road when staff called the police.
Officers from Dorset Police said they found him in a dry storage area of the kitchen shouting “Let me out” before waving a metal object at them and refusing to leave.
A fire was seen coming from the store and Sheen was heard to say “Go away – this place is going to go up”.
The fire service was called to extinguish the flames and a police dog, called Gus, was also sent to the scene.
PD Gus recovered and is now back on duty
In a statement, Dorset Police said: “Sheen began to throw items at the officers, including bags of flour and commercial-sized tins of baked beans.
“One of the tins struck PD Gus on the head, stunning him and causing him to back away.”
Police then used a Taser to subdue Sheen and he was arrested.
Ch Insp Heather Dixey confirmed Gus and the police officers involved did not sustain any lasting injuries and are back on active duty.
She added: “This case yet again demonstrates the danger that can be faced by officers and police dogs while dealing with hostile and volatile incidents.”
Sheen was jailed for 28 months after being convicted of a series of burglaries in the New Forest area. His address was given in court as Clarks Close, Ringwood.
CONVICTED (2019) Samuel Jake Kirkham, born 3 January 1997, of St Nicholas Close, North Bradley, Trowbridge BA14 0TH – killed a three-month-old puppy in a fit of rage.
Kirkham said the puppy – a Cavachon known as Murphy – had bitten him so he lashed out and sent the tiny dog flying across the bathroom. Murphy was taken to an emergency vet in a comatose state but died three hours later.
Murphy suffered fatal injuries in a brutal attack by Trowbridge man Sam Kirkham
A post mortem examination revealed the puppy had suffered a traumatic injury which had caused extensive internal damage to his skull, mouth, abdominal cavity, kidney, lung, and intestine.
Kirkham lied to his Facebook friends about the circumstances surrounding Murphy’s death
Pleading guilty, Kirkham claimed that the puppy had defecated on the floor so he’d put him in the bath. He told the court Murphy had bitten him so he struck him, which caused the dog to fly across the bathroom, hitting either the wall or the toilet.
RSPCA inspector Miranda Albinson, who investigated for the animal welfare charity, said: “This was a horribly sad case where poor Murphy lost his life.
“There is no excuse for an innocent animal to be subjected to violence”
Sentencing | 270 hours of community service and 20 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days; fines and charges totalling £835. Banned from keeping any animal for 10 years with the right of appeal after five years (expires August 2029).
CONVICTED (2019) | Simon Sherman, born 8/ July 1972 and Sarah Sherman, born 22 February 1972 of Waiblingen Way, Devizes SN10 2BP – failed to treat their dogs’ ailments or to feed them properly.
Laddie
The Shermans were banned from keeping animals for life after leaving their dogs emaciated and sick.
Laddie was in such poor condition he was put to sleep
RSPCA Inspector Miranda Albinson discovered collies Laddie and Milo in March 2019 after concerns were raised about their welfare.
During veterinary examination, Laddie was found to have a skeletal appearance, alopecia from his mid-back to tail, and paraphimosis, the inability to retract his penis, which had left it dry and inflamed.
Inspector Albinson said: “Laddie was lying in a green plastic dog bed on the kitchen floor.
“There was a small dirty cushion in this bed and next to it was a filthy blanket which was wet to the touch. Inside the bed was an empty silver dog bowl.
“He was clearly extremely underweight, with prominent hip bones, ribs and spine, and had complete fur loss over his back end.
“Milo had a sticky, dirty, and greasy coat and I could feel that he was also extremely underweight.
Simon Sherman took to Facebook to bemoan his conviction and claims he and wife Sarah Sherman were “well screwed over in court”Simon Sherman
“There is no excuse for allowing any pet to get into the state Laddie and Milo were in.
“There is always help available for those people who need it and we encourage people to seek out this help to prevent animals suffering.”
Laddie was put to sleep because of the severity of his condition and Milo is still recovering.
Sentencing | Simon Sherman – 250 hours of community service and ordered to pay a total of £335 costs and charges. Sarah-Jane Sherman – costs and charges totalling £230. Both are banned from keeping animals for life.
CONVICTED (2018) | Tracy Wright, age unknown, and daughter Megan Louise Wells, born 6 September 1997, both of Five Styles Road, Marlborough SN8 4BD – left their elderly Jack Russell to suffer with a painful skin condition for over a year
Convicted animal abusers Tracy Wright and Megan Wells. Pics: Facebook
The RSPCA launched an investigation after discovering the 13-year-old dog named Tilly was suffering from itchy scabs and had lost fur on her front, legs and neck.
Although Tilly has now recovered, she will need medication for the rest of her life.
Wright and Wells admitted causing unnecessary suffering when they appeared before Swindon Magistrates’ Court on 24/07/2018.
Megan Wells. Pic: Facebook
RSPCA inspector Sharon Crisp said: “This was a frustrating and saddening case, that could have been easily avoided if poor Tilly was given the care she deserved.
“Those who own animals have a responsibility to look after them and ensure health conditions are dealt with promptly by a vet to avoid their pets suffering. It is never acceptable to just ignore an animal in need.
“Tilly’s a lovely, friendly old dog who was left without the help she desperately needed for a prolonged period of time.
“Her skin was so bad when I arrived it was shocking to see her.
“She was clearly incredibly uncomfortable with raw skin on her stomach, neck and face. It was only when I saw her again once her skin was better and her fur growing back that I realised how depressed and miserable she had been when she was rescued too. She was wagging her tail and happy- a totally different dog.”
The court heard in mitigation that Wright and Wells had health and financial issues.
Sentence | 12-month community order with ten-day Rehabilitation Activity Requirement. £85 victim surcharge. Banned from owning animals for five years (expires August 2023).
CONVICTED (2017) | James Mark Alexander Cooper, born 02/03/1994, of Severn Avenue, Swindon SN25 3LL – killed a dog through multiple vicious attacks and injured another
James Cooper from Swindon killed one whippet and subjected another to months of abuse
James Cooper admitted two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to whippets Millie and Tinkerbelle.
Cooper pleaded guilty to inflicting a torrent of violence on six-year-old Millie, who suffered fatal blunt force trauma. Months earlier he had repeatedly attacked three-year-old Tinkerbelle.
The court heard how Cooper and his girlfriend Katie Gardiner were looking after three-year-old Tinkerbelle for her step-mum, Carley Young, when the attacks happened.
Three-year-old Tinkerbelle suffered numerous painful injuries at the hands of sadistic James Cooper
When external injuries prompted a vet visit, Cooper had told vets that Tinkerbelle’s injuries, including multiple skin abrasions, were caused by her falling down the stairs.
Just days later, the dog was taken back to the vets with new fractures and an ulcer-type injury to her left eye.
In the weeks that followed Tinkerbelle suffered a human bite wound as well as injuries to her tail, which had to be amputated.
Serial dog abuser and killer James Cooper pictured outside court
Matthew Knight, prosecuting, told the court: “The defendant still hasn’t provided an explanation of what happened or why these offences occurred.
“In regard to Millie, the defendant said she had jumped over a six-foot fence and fell on some brambles, which is how she sustained the injury.”
Other excuses given to vets included that she had run into a patio door.
James Cooper inflicted a torrent of violent abuse on Millie, 6, who eventually died from her injuries
Mr Knight continued: “Millie suffered multiple fractured ribs and was killed by the defendant.
“However when asked he said the further injuries were caused by the fact he gave CPR.
“She suffered a number of blunt force trauma injuries and I am in no doubt that she was killed by the defendant. Her injuries were extensive, widespread and severe. In my opinion, they were sustained on more than one occasion.
“There are striking similarities in the way both Millie and Tinkerbelle were assaulted front on, sustained multiple fractured ribs and swelling to the left side of her face.”
A post-mortem examination found Millie had emphysema and bruising – some that had been inflicted just 24 hours before she died.
Surviving dog Tinkerbelle
Following Cooper’s conviction, the RSPCA dropped the charges against his girlfriend Katie Gardiner, DoB 27/07/1994, who denied the allegations.
James Cooper with girlfriend Katie Gardiner, who was originally charged with dog cruelty as well. Charges against her were dropped following Cooper’s conviction.
Richard Williams, defending, said his client had suffered with a number of mental health issues, including anxiety and depression, and was bullied at school, often finding it difficult to stand up for himself.
“In relation to the offences, there is not much I can add to make them any less distasteful,” said Mr Williams.
“James Cooper has struggled in articulating and expressing exactly what happened.
“There is quite a lot that can shed some light on what has happened in James Cooper’s life. He had moved in with Katie Gardiner last year and it was his first serious relationship and the first time he moved away from home. He struggled and he accepts he lashed out at the dogs.
“He has dabbled in drink and drugs and has since abstained from those substances.”
Victim Millie was just six years old when she died from blunt force trauma, following a violent attack by James Cooper
District Judge Simon Cooper said: “Tinkerbelle made at least five visits to the vet for treatment while in your care and from that, examinations revealed that she had been severely beaten, suffering fractured ribs and a human bite wound and the effect on her was akin, in my judgement, to torture. Nonetheless, she recovered, even if she had to have her tail amputated.
“Millie was taken back on the third examination while she had been in your care and you had been under investigation. They found her covered with wounds to the mouth and multiple fractured ribs which ultimately led to her death.
“I agree with the RSPCA that it is a difficult and disturbing case. You gave a variety of explanations for these offences but, in fact, you finally accepted your responsibility.
“This case has rumbled on for nine months due to your inability to accept your responsibility.
“I have come to the decision that an immediate prison sentence would utterly destroy you. What you did was vicious and savage but little would be achieved in the long run by sending you into custody.
“It has been an agonising and hard decision to come to. The most difficult decision of today is not to send this young man into immediate prison but it is one, in my long experience, that would completely destroy his life.”
Sentencing: 12-week consecutive prison sentence for each offence to be suspended for two years. 150 hours of unpaid work. Total of £1,115 costs and charges. Lifetime ban on keeping animals.
