ANTHONY WILKINSON AND STEPHEN LEE JONES CAERNARFON BADGER SETT CRIME

In a disturbing case that has drawn significant attention from wildlife protection authorities, Anthony Lloyd Wilkinson, born on October 10, 1995, and residing on Rhedyw Road in Llanllyfni, Caernarfon, along with Stephen Lee Jones, born in October 1991 and living at Bro Rhos, Bethel, Caernarfon, have been found guilty of interfering with a protected badger sett. The incident took place in the rural area of Garndolbenmaen, Gwynedd, on January 7, 2024, and involved actions that caused harm to a species legally protected under Welsh and UK law.

According to reports, Wilkinson and Jones engaged in a malicious act that involved encouraging a dog to enter a badger sett. This act resulted in the damage of the sett, which is a critical habitat for badgers, a species protected by law. The illegal interference with a badger sett is a serious offense, as it disrupts the natural environment and endangers the welfare of the animals involved.

Following an investigation by North Wales Police, which included detailed inquiries and the gathering of evidence, authorities identified the two suspects. The police, in collaboration with the RSPCA, executed search warrants at two different addresses linked to Wilkinson and Jones under the provisions of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. During these searches, two dogs were seized under the Animal Welfare Act, highlighting the broader concerns about animal cruelty associated with the case.

Both Wilkinson and Jones appeared before Llandudno Magistrates Court on October 16, 2024, where they pleaded guilty to charges of interfering with and damaging a badger sett. The court recognized the severity of their actions, which not only violated wildlife protection laws but also involved cruelty to animals.

In sentencing, the magistrates handed down a 12-week prison sentence for each defendant, which was suspended for one year. Additionally, Wilkinson and Jones were ordered to pay £600 each to cover the costs incurred by the RSPCA during the investigation and subsequent actions. The court also imposed a four-year disqualification from owning or keeping dogs, a ban that will expire in October 2028, to prevent further animal cruelty.

This case underscores the ongoing efforts by law enforcement and wildlife protection agencies to combat illegal activities that threaten native species and violate animal welfare laws in Wales. The community and conservation groups continue to advocate for stricter enforcement and harsher penalties to deter such harmful behaviors in the future.