GAVIN HARDY, ARTURS GRIGORJEVS AND TROY WAGSTAFF CONVICTED IN GRIMSBY FOR HORRIFIC ANIMAL ABUSE

In 2019, Gavin Hardy, born on September 29, 1979, of Greengate Lane, Immingham DN40 3EZ; Troy Wagstaff, born on March 6, 1988, of Willow House, Willow Close, Ulceby DN39 6UR; and Arturs Grigorjevs, born on November 2, 1986, of Weatherill Street, Goole DN14 6ED, were convicted of systematically abusing pigs through violent and cruel acts. The three men, all former employees of Goxhill's Fir Tree Farm operated by Elsham Linc, were found to have subjected defenseless pigs to relentless brutality, including kicking them in the face and jabbing them with pitchforks. One instance was caught on camera, showing a man slamming a gate into a pig’s head.

These men admitted to causing unnecessary suffering to pigs, with the abuse described as "gratuitous, appalling and sickening." The case was initiated by the RSPCA following an undercover investigation by animal rights organization Animal Equality. Hidden cameras placed inside the farm revealed horrific scenes of animal cruelty.

Troy Wagstaff, who served as the supervisor and was designated the farm's animal welfare manager, was identified as the primary perpetrator. He confessed to abusing numerous pigs between April 2 and April 27, 2018, by inflicting blunt force trauma and physical violence. Wagstaff denied a second charge involving spraying paint into a pig’s nose, for which the prosecution did not present evidence.

Gavin Hardy, a stockman employed at the farm for approximately 20 years, admitted to causing unnecessary suffering to two pigs through blunt force, physical violence, and inappropriate use of a pitchfork between April 25 and 27, 2018. Arturs Grigorjevs, a Latvian national with nine years of pig farming experience, acknowledged causing suffering to four pigs through similar violent means, knowing these acts would likely cause injury.

After suspicions of mistreatment, cameras were installed on Fir Tree Farm, capturing footage of the pigs' distress as they squealed and attempted to escape from the men. Prosecutor Gordon Holt informed Grimsby Magistrates’ Court that there was "repeated abuse and cruelty" directed at "multiple pigs."

Wagstaff had been responsible for the unit for nine months and had worked there since 2006, attending monthly meetings about animal welfare practices. Hardy had worked at the farm for about two decades, and Grigorjevs had been involved in pig farming for about nine years.

Elsham Linc, owned by the Godfrey family, dismissed the men following an investigation, condemning their actions as "abhorrent behavior that does not represent our business."

The court heard that Gavin Hardy's own solicitor admitted his client had become desensitized to animal suffering after two decades working on the farm, with his legal team asserting he showed "no remorse." Wagstaff’s lawyers described him as "weak and foolish," but also "full of remorse." Arturs Grigorjevs recognized that his behavior was unacceptable.

The judge sentenced all three men to an eight-week suspended prison sentence, 100 hours of unpaid work, and an indefinite ban from working with or transporting livestock. Additionally, they are required to pay £500 in costs and a £115 victims’ surcharge imposed by the government.