DUDLEY ANIMAL ABUSERS DAVID AND DIANNE ROBERTS AND NAOMI HEYDON STRIKE AGAIN

In a disturbing case that shocked the Dudley community, three individuals—David Roberts, born on January 23, 1968, Dianne Rebecca Roberts, born on May 26, 1964, and Naomi Georgina Heydon, born on December 4, 1991—were found guilty of severe animal cruelty at Birmingham Magistrates Court. All three residents of Turls Street, Sedgley, Dudley DY3 1HH, faced charges related to neglecting and causing unnecessary suffering to multiple dogs under their care.

RSPCA officers conducted a raid on the property, uncovering conditions that could only be described as deplorable. The investigation revealed that four dogs, including two German shepherds and two German shepherd-husky crosses, were kept outside in pens that were filled with urine and faeces. These animals were denied access to water, and their living environment was described as 'appalling' by the inspectors. The neglect was so severe that the dogs showed signs of dental disease, ear infections, and skin conditions, with some being emaciated—scoring as low as 2 and 2.5 on a scale where 1 indicates extreme emaciation.

Inside the house, a small Jack Russell named Honey was found suffering from an untreated tumour. The dog had been gnawing at the tumour in a desperate attempt to relieve pain, and despite the owner's claims that she intended to seek veterinary care, Honey was never taken to a vet. The condition of the dog was so dire that the RSPCA made the humane decision to put her to sleep to end her suffering.

During court proceedings, the defendants admitted to nine charges each, which included causing unnecessary suffering and neglecting the animals' basic needs. Prosecutor Rafe Turner detailed the extent of the neglect, emphasizing that the dogs had no access to fresh water and were deprived of normal behavioral opportunities due to their confined and unsanitary environment. Turner highlighted that the dogs were not taken out for regular exercise, and the neglect affected their health and well-being significantly.

Mrs. Roberts explained that the responsibility for the dogs outside primarily fell on her husband, citing her mobility issues and the slippery decking as reasons for her limited involvement. Mr. Roberts admitted to letting the dogs out for only 15 minutes daily and justified not taking them to the vet due to financial constraints. Naomi Heydon, who owned Honey, claimed she intended to address the situation but was unable to do so before the RSPCA intervened.

Judge's remarks underscored the severity of the neglect, stating that veterinary care was clearly needed and that the environment was entirely unsuitable for the animals. As a result of their actions, all three individuals received suspended prison sentences and were banned from owning animals for life. The original sentencing date was set for May 31, 2017, but the outcome was not publicly reported, and a subsequent FOI request was refused on data protection grounds. It is believed that the trio's bans are still in effect, although recent reports suggest that Dianne Roberts, now known as Bekki Beach, and her daughter Naomi Alice Heydon Roberts, or Naomi Beach, continue to reside in Turls Street, Dudley, and may be attempting to acquire new animals despite their lifetime ban.

Further updates in April 2021 revealed that Dianne and David Roberts have separated. Dianne Roberts has reportedly changed her name and is working as a decoy for a paedophile hunting group. Meanwhile, David Roberts's whereabouts remain unknown, but Naomi Heydon and Dianne Roberts are still living in Dudley, raising concerns about their ongoing involvement with animals and potential violations of their bans.