JOSHUA WANLESS FROM WALTON-ON-THAMES INVOLVED IN CRUEL ANIMAL ABUSE IN WALTON-ON-THAMES

Joshua Wanless, a known career criminal and gang member from Walton-on-Thames, has been convicted of a disturbing act of animal cruelty that shocked the local community and drew the attention of law enforcement authorities. Born around 1990 and residing on Pankhurst Road in Walton-on-Thames, Wanless's latest offense involved a particularly heinous act of sadism directed at defenseless animals.

On January 30, 2019, officers responded to a distress call from Apple Court Green in Walton, where reports indicated that Wanless had engaged in a brutal act involving a dog and a ferret. Witnesses described how Wanless had forced a dog into a cage with a ferret, encouraging the dog to attack and kill the smaller animal for his own twisted amusement. This act of cruelty was carried out in full view of the public and was witnessed by several residents who were appalled by the scene.

Law enforcement officers arrived at the scene shortly after the incident was reported. They observed Wanless driving away from the area and promptly stopped his vehicle. A search of his car revealed disturbing evidence: a box containing a live ferret, a bloodstained cage, and a dog with blood on its nose. Additionally, on the green where the incident took place, officers found the ferret that had been killed moments earlier, confirming the brutality of the act.

Wanless, who has a history of violent convictions, was taken into custody and later pleaded guilty to charges of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, specifically a ferret, by feeding it to a dog, which resulted in its death. He also admitted to causing unnecessary suffering to the dog by encouraging it to attack the ferret. His actions were condemned by wildlife and rural crime authorities, with PC Hollie Iribar, the Wildlife & Rural Crime Co-ordinator, describing the incident as "abhorrent."

PC Iribar, who investigated the case alongside PC Josh Parry, stated, “This is an abhorrent crime which involved Joshua Wanless antagonising a dog to kill a ferret for no other reason than his own enjoyment. He initially denied the offences, claiming that the ferret had escaped and was killed accidentally, but subsequent mobile phone investigations revealed text messages indicating his cruel intentions beforehand.”

The investigation also uncovered that Wanless has a reputation for violent and animal-related offenses in the Walton-on-Thames area. Locals have alleged that he has previously killed a dog and may also be responsible for air rifle attacks on cats in the vicinity. Furthermore, Wanless pleaded guilty to two breaches of his Criminal Behaviour Order, which included causing alarm or distress to a member of the public and entering an area he was prohibited from accessing.

In sentencing, Wanless received a 16-week custodial sentence, which was suspended for two years. He was also ordered to complete 180 hours of unpaid community service, pay costs and charges totaling £200, and was banned from owning or keeping any animals for two years, a restriction that expired in 2021. The case highlights ongoing concerns about animal cruelty and organized criminal activities linked to such barbaric acts in the Walton-on-Thames area.