APRIL FOULDS BREACHES SKEGNESS ANIMAL BAN DESPITE 10-YEAR DISQUALIFICATION

April Foulds, born around 1991 and residing on Drummond Road in Skegness, has been found guilty of violating a court order that prohibits her from keeping animals for a period of ten years. This ban was imposed in December 2021 following her conviction for neglecting the basic needs of animals, although specific details of that initial conviction have not been publicly disclosed.

On August 24, 2022, law enforcement officers responded to a tip-off that led them to Foulds' residence. Upon arrival, officers attempted to gain entry into her home but were unsuccessful. From their vantage point, they observed two cats inside the property. The officers noted that the cats did not appear to be malnourished or in visibly poor health. Despite this, the cats were subsequently seized by the RSPCA on September 14, 2022, as part of the ongoing investigation.

During police interviews, Foulds admitted to breaching the court order. She explained that the cats had been purchased by her then-partner, with whom she was living at the time. Her legal representative, Mike Alexander, provided context during the proceedings, stating that Foulds had been experiencing personal difficulties and struggling with alcohol issues. He emphasized that her former partner was responsible for acquiring the cats and insisted they would benefit her mental health. According to Alexander, her partner did not properly care for the animals, instead leaving the responsibility to Foulds, which he described as a situation that was effectively imposed upon her.

Alexander argued that, given the circumstances and the explanations provided, Foulds should not be considered highly culpable for the breach. The court ultimately sentenced her to an 18-month conditional discharge, meaning she will not serve time in prison unless she commits another offence within that period. Additionally, she was ordered to pay £121 in costs and victim surcharge. The original ten-year ban on keeping animals remains in effect until December 2031, serving as a reminder of the court's efforts to prevent further neglect or abuse.