Jail for gang of animal abusers
Eleven men from across England and Wales sentenced for sickening acts of deliberate cruelty
Members of a gang of animal abusers who tortured and killed wild animals with their dogs have been jailed.
One piece of sickening footage seized during the investigation by the RSPCA shows a badger screaming in pain as it is torn apart by two dogs. Other clips show a fox trapped in a cage being tormented by dogs, as well as one where a terrier type dog is put in the cage to fight with the trapped fox, giving neither animal the chance to escape.
Photographs seized from phones belonging to some of the defendants also show scores of dead deer and rabbits lying on the ground, in front of their blood-stained dogs.
Chief inspector Ian Briggs, from the RSPCA’s special operations unit, said: “The level of deliberate, premeditated cruelty that these men inflicted is horrific, although sadly it is not the first time I’ve seen cases like this.
“Anyone who hears the blood curdling screams of the badger as it is being torn apart in the footage we found will never forget it. I honestly can’t imagine the torture that poor animal would have endured.
“The sheer scale of brutality these men inflicted is almost beyond belief. What makes it all the more outrageous is the pride they took in taking photos of the scores of dead animals, they lined up in front of them. Some of the scenes resembled a blood bath.
“A huge amount of time and effort went into this investigation and I am pleased that the court recognised the serious nature of these offences. I must thank all of the officers and police forces whose joint hard work, cooperation and dedication resulted in these men being brought to justice.”
The horrifying extent of the gang’s activity was revealed after one of the men - Graham Coombes - was arrested for poaching. He threw away his phone, which was subsequently found and interrogated.
Analysis of the phone revealed thousands of text messages, including one in which he claimed to have used his dogs to kill 178 deer, 894 rabbits, 28 foxes and 22 hares in just six months
Also discovered on the device were numerous photographs of dead animals and video clips of dogs attacking wildlife.
Details on Coombes’ phone also led the RSPCA to a number of the other defendants and warrants were carried out in May and November last year at a number of properties in the Somerset, Dorset, Devon and South Wales. The investigation was known as Operation Argo and was carried out working closely with a number of police forces, including Devon and Cornwall Police.
During a hearing at Plymouth Magistrates’ Court on 6 December, the court heard that the men would exchange messages and some of them would arrange to meet up and travel to Devon where they would use their dogs to kill wild animals. All of the offences occurred on various dates between April 2014 and November 2015.
Coombes, 41, of Abbey Road, Bovey Tracey, Devon, was jailed for a total of 20 weeks - although told that he would have been sentenced to more had the law allowed it.
He was banned from keeping dogs for life and must pay £3,000 costs and a victim surcharge of £80 after he admitted eight offences, including willfully killing a badger, willfully injuring a badger, killing deer, causing an animal fighting to take place between a dog and a fox and causing unnecessary suffering to his own terrier, Marley, by failing to provide veterinary treatment for his injuries.
Oliver Blatch, 27, of Stalbridge, Sturminster Newton, Dorset, was given a four week custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months, for two offences of killing deer. He must also carry out 180 hours of unpaid work, pay £800 costs and a £60 victim surcharge.
Philip Cross, 36, of Bryn Ivor Street, Tonypandy, Rhonnda, was jailed for a total of eight weeks after he was convicted of one offence of killing a deer and one offence of causing unnecessary suffering by failing to provide a dog with veterinary treatment for its fractured leg. He received a five-year ban on keeping dogs and must pay £4,000 costs.
Kenneth Danes, 29, of Culmhead, Taunton, received an eight week custodial sentence which was suspended for 12 months after he admitted two offences of killing deer at night, under section 3 of the Deer Act. The court ordered him to carry out 140 hours community service, pay £800 costs and a £60 victim surcharge.
Gethyn Durham, 27, of Ty Pwca Road, Cwmbran, was jailed for a total of six weeks and banned from keeping dogs for five years. He will also be under license on a supervision order for a year following his release from prison. He must also pay £800 costs and a victim surcharge of £115. The sentence came after he admitted one offence of killing a deer, one offence of keeping dogs in an unsuitable environment and one of possession of a banned type of dog under the Dangerous Dogs Act.
Brian Forrest, 40, formerly of Kingston St Mary, near Taunton, had previously admitted one offence of killing a deer and received a six week custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months. The court also issued him with a 140 hour community order and ordered him to pay £800 costs and a £60 victim surcharge.
Dean McGrath, 29, of Greenmeadow, Cwmbran, was also sentenced to six weeks custody, which was suspended for a year. In addition he received a 160 hour community order and must pay £800 costs and £60 victim surcharge. This came after he previously admitted one offence of killing a deer.
Joseph O’Connor, 23, of Rhydyfro, Pontardawe, was given a nine week custodial sentence which was suspended for 12 months after he admitted three offences of killing deer. He also received a 200 hour community order and must pay £800 costs and a victim surcharge of £80.
Pheon Radford, 24, of Cross Street, Ystrad, Pentre, previously admitted one offence of killing a deer and one offence of causing unnecessary suffering to a dog. He was given a custodial sentence totalling 10 weeks, suspended for 12 months and a three year ban on keeping dogs. He must also pay £800 costs and a victim surcharge of £60.
Daniel Ravenscroft, 37, of Grange Road, Buckfast, Buckfastleigh, was convicted of one offence of killing deer following a trial. He was sentenced to six weeks custody, suspended for 12 months, a 200 hour community order and must pay £4,000 costs and a victim surcharge of £60.
In the case of Ryan Robinson of Foundry Court, Chudleigh, the court gave him credit for demonstrating some remorse. He was given a 12 month community order, which includes a 10 day rehabilitation course, after he admitted one offence of taking a deer without consent of the owner and one offence of killing a deer. He must also carry out 200 hours unpaid work, pay £800 costs and pay a victim surcharge of £85.
All of the offences were brought under the Animal Welfare Act, Deer Act, Protection of Badgers Act and the Dangerous Dogs Act.
