DILLON BRODERICK, KAI CARTWRIGHT, JOHN THOMPSON AND SCOTT WALPOLE: HORRIFIC BADGER BAITERS FROM WEST CUMBRIAN BADGER BAITERS SENTENCED IN CUMBRIA
| Red Rose Database
West Cumbrian Badger Baiters Animal Abuser
Four men from the notorious West Cumbrian Badger Baiters group have been convicted and sentenced for their involvement in barbaric wildlife crimes, including the cruel baiting and killing of badgers and deer. Dillon Broderick, born on October 25, 1996, residing at 1 Lowcroft, Main Street, Maryport CA15 7DN, along with Kai Cartwright, born on September 27, 1997, of 33 Alexander Close, Workington CA14 3HQ, John James Thompson, born on July 25, 1992, of 29 Harriston, Aspatria, Wigton CA7 2ED, and Scott David Martin Walpole, born on April 9, 1990, of 13 East Crescent, Aspatria, Wigton CA7 3EF, faced serious charges related to their involvement in illegal activities targeting wildlife.
These individuals were handed suspended prison sentences after evidence emerged of their participation in illegal badger baiting and other wildlife crimes. The evidence was uncovered through mobile phone footage, which was handed over to the RSPCA by police officers investigating Walpole for an unrelated crime. In April 2019, Walpole, along with Broderick and Thompson, had previously been jailed for their roles in an organized crime gang that targeted ATM machines. The footage revealed the four men actively digging out badgers and baiting them, a practice widely condemned for its cruelty.
The horrific images found on Scott Walpole’s mobile phone showed him and his accomplices engaging in the brutal act of digging out badgers, a clear indication of their involvement in illegal wildlife persecution. Broderick pleaded guilty to multiple offences, including the wilful killing of a badger on February 18, 2018, and the killing of a deer during the close season on March 11, 2018. He also admitted to killing a deer at night on the same date, and again during the close season on March 13, 2018. Additionally, Broderick was convicted of wilfully killing a badger on April 15, 2018, and interfering with a badger sett by causing a dog to enter it, either intentionally or recklessly.
Scott Walpole also pleaded guilty to the same offences as Broderick, with the added admission of intentionally killing two mallards on April 4, 2018. Meanwhile, Kai Cartwright and John Thompson both admitted to wilfully killing a badger on April 15, 2018, and interfering with a badger sett by causing a dog to enter it, with similar reckless intent.
Investigating officer Jason Bowles commented on the case, stating, “On the phone, we found multiple images and videos showing the men out with their dogs, digging into badger setts and setting their dogs on badgers. This ‘sport’ is cruel and barbaric, and I’m sure this footage would be incredibly upsetting for the public to see.”
PC Samantha O’Key, the wildlife, rural, and environmental crime coordinator for Cumbria Police, expressed her satisfaction with the outcome, emphasizing the seriousness with which the force treats animal cruelty. She highlighted the effective partnership with the RSPCA, which played a crucial role in bringing the offenders to justice.
In terms of sentencing, Broderick and Walpole each received a two-month jail sentence, suspended for 18 months, for their crimes against deer. They were also sentenced to four months in jail, suspended for 18 months, for the other offences, and ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work. Cartwright and Thompson each received a four-month jail term, suspended for 18 months, along with a requirement to perform 100 hours of unpaid work. All four men were also banned from owning or keeping a dog for life, or until further court order, reflecting the seriousness of their crimes against wildlife.
These individuals were handed suspended prison sentences after evidence emerged of their participation in illegal badger baiting and other wildlife crimes. The evidence was uncovered through mobile phone footage, which was handed over to the RSPCA by police officers investigating Walpole for an unrelated crime. In April 2019, Walpole, along with Broderick and Thompson, had previously been jailed for their roles in an organized crime gang that targeted ATM machines. The footage revealed the four men actively digging out badgers and baiting them, a practice widely condemned for its cruelty.
The horrific images found on Scott Walpole’s mobile phone showed him and his accomplices engaging in the brutal act of digging out badgers, a clear indication of their involvement in illegal wildlife persecution. Broderick pleaded guilty to multiple offences, including the wilful killing of a badger on February 18, 2018, and the killing of a deer during the close season on March 11, 2018. He also admitted to killing a deer at night on the same date, and again during the close season on March 13, 2018. Additionally, Broderick was convicted of wilfully killing a badger on April 15, 2018, and interfering with a badger sett by causing a dog to enter it, either intentionally or recklessly.
Scott Walpole also pleaded guilty to the same offences as Broderick, with the added admission of intentionally killing two mallards on April 4, 2018. Meanwhile, Kai Cartwright and John Thompson both admitted to wilfully killing a badger on April 15, 2018, and interfering with a badger sett by causing a dog to enter it, with similar reckless intent.
Investigating officer Jason Bowles commented on the case, stating, “On the phone, we found multiple images and videos showing the men out with their dogs, digging into badger setts and setting their dogs on badgers. This ‘sport’ is cruel and barbaric, and I’m sure this footage would be incredibly upsetting for the public to see.”
PC Samantha O’Key, the wildlife, rural, and environmental crime coordinator for Cumbria Police, expressed her satisfaction with the outcome, emphasizing the seriousness with which the force treats animal cruelty. She highlighted the effective partnership with the RSPCA, which played a crucial role in bringing the offenders to justice.
In terms of sentencing, Broderick and Walpole each received a two-month jail sentence, suspended for 18 months, for their crimes against deer. They were also sentenced to four months in jail, suspended for 18 months, for the other offences, and ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work. Cartwright and Thompson each received a four-month jail term, suspended for 18 months, along with a requirement to perform 100 hours of unpaid work. All four men were also banned from owning or keeping a dog for life, or until further court order, reflecting the seriousness of their crimes against wildlife.