DOUGLAS PRICE AND HUGHE STEELE SENTENCED IN LINCOLN
Douglas Price, also known as James Smith, born on 21 September 1990, and Hughe Steele, born on 18 September 1971, both of Poplar Meadow Travelers Site in Beckingham, Lincoln LN5 0RB, were convicted in 2025 for offences related to cock-fighting and animal welfare.Price pleaded guilty to two charges of keeping and/or training cockerels for use in animal fights at the Poplar Meadow Travellers Site in May 2024.
He also admitted to causing unnecessary suffering to eight cockerels by failing to provide proper nutrition and neglecting their weight loss.
A further charge of possessing cock-fighting spurs designed or adapted for use in fights was dismissed.
Hughe Steele pleaded guilty to being present at an animal fight held at the same site in January 2024, as well as causing unnecessary suffering to a red and black cockerel by neglecting to treat wounds on its head and neck.
Following sentencing, both men received suspended jail sentences for 12 months.
They were ordered to pay £1,000 in costs, complete 150 hours of unpaid work, and are banned from keeping chickens, cockerels, and wild birds for life.
The case was brought by Lincolnshire Police, with support from the RSPCA and coverage by BBC News.
