DARREN FISHER OF METHLEY: NOTORIOUS WILDLIFE PERSECUTOR AND VIOLENT OFFENDER FACES COURT

Darren Leslie Fisher, a man born on 14 February 1987, has been convicted in 2024 of serious wildlife crimes and has a long history of violent behavior. Previously residing on Heald Street in Castleford, with the postal code WF10 4LS, Fisher is now believed to be living in the Methley area of Leeds. His recent conviction stems from the discovery of multiple dead animals stored unlawfully in his property, including a dead otter kept in his freezer and several deceased foxes found in his garage.

Fisher, who is often referred to as a 'gamekeeper,' is notorious among West Yorkshire Hunt Saboteurs due to his role as a terrierman with the Middleton Hunt. During court proceedings, he admitted to possessing a dead otter but claimed that his intention was to have the animal preserved through taxidermy for educational purposes. This explanation was presented to justify his possession of the protected species.

Fisher is the director of a company called Rural Security Yorkshire Limited. During the hearing at Leeds magistrates' court, he stated that he was unaware that possessing a dead or live otter required a license, despite the species being protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act. The police had initially been at his residence on an unrelated matter when they uncovered the dead animals, leading to his arrest and subsequent charges.

He pleaded guilty to the offence of possessing a wild animal of a listed species. However, he was sentenced to a 12-month conditional discharge and a minimal fine of £111, effectively allowing him to walk free from court. His defense lawyer explained that the otter was given to Fisher by a young man working on a farm, noting Fisher's interest in taxidermy. The lawyer also emphasized that Fisher uses such animals for educational purposes, engaging with young people to enhance their understanding of wildlife. It was further stated that the otter was likely 'roadkill,' and Fisher has since applied for a license to legally possess otters.

Otters are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017. It is illegal to kill, injure, capture, or disturb otters without a proper license, making Fisher’s possession of the dead otter a clear violation of these laws.

Beyond his wildlife-related offenses, Fisher has an extensive criminal record, including multiple convictions for violent acts. In December 2017, he was imprisoned along with 15 others following a violent altercation at a boxing match, during which a woman was knocked unconscious. At that time, Fisher was employed as a terrierman with the Badsworth and Bramham Moor Hunt. He received a 23-month jail sentence, which included nine months for breaching the conditions of a previous suspended sentence. That earlier sentence was imposed in July 2017 after Fisher was involved in a road rage incident in Castleford, during which he assaulted a motorist following a minor collision. The victim sustained whiplash, two bloodshot eyes, and impaired vision in his right eye.

The court was informed that Fisher had nine prior convictions for assault at that point. In December 2019, he was caught driving under the influence while intoxicated and attempting to evade arrest by driving through a roadblock, with the intent to escape to Portugal to avoid further legal proceedings. This incident led to his imprisonment in 2021. Recently, Fisher has been observed acting as a security guard for the Badsworth and Bramham Moor Hunt, continuing his association with hunting activities despite his criminal history.