KIERON WADE AND STEPHEN ROSE SENTENCED IN RICHMOND FOR ANIMAL CRUELTY AND BADGER BAITING

Serial animal abuser Kenneth Kieron Wade, born 22 August 1995 and residing at 10 Coalbank Road, Hetton-le-Hole, Houghton le Spring DH5 0EG, alongside Stephen Thomas Rose, born circa 1986 of 18 Mardale Street, Hetton-le-Hole, Houghton Le Spring DH5 0DJ, were convicted after they forced their dogs to attack a badger.

Kieron Wade, commonly known as Kieron Wade, has a prior conviction for cruelty to working dogs, and his accomplice, Stephen Rose—a violent career criminal—was also sentenced after they orchestrated a dog fight with a badger.

Wade was already under a ban from owning dogs until 2027 due to his previous animal cruelty conviction. Rose, who later assaulted a man severely enough to require four days in an induced coma, was also involved.

The court heard that the pair traveled to farmland near Richmond, North Yorkshire, with three terriers, searching for badger setts. On January 25, 2023, Richmond Rural Watch reported suspicious vehicle activity near Jagger Lane, Melsonby, close to the A66. Police subsequently stopped a silver Volvo V50 estate near Scotch Corner, where West was seated in the front passenger seat and Rose in the driver’s seat.

Officers found three terriers inside the vehicle, including Wade’s dog Coco, seated in front of the passenger seat. The other dogs belonged to Rose. A database confirmed Wade was banned from keeping dogs until 2027 under a court order.

Both men were arrested; the dogs were taken into police custody, and the vehicle was seized. A search revealed a muddy spade in the passenger area.

The terriers were examined by an emergency veterinarian. Coco had a degloving injury under anaesthetic, while another dog had facial cuts. An animal expert indicated the injuries were likely caused by fighting a badger.

The police also discovered a disturbed badger sett that had recently been dug up, with two shovels, a dog lead, a knife, and a discarded cigarette nearby. A dead badger was found about 15 metres from the sett.

An expert confirmed the sett was active and showed signs of illegal digging, including fresh bedding, soil heaps, blocked entrances, and recent disturbance.

Wade’s dog sustained extensive jaw injuries, and facial cuts on another dog suggested a fight with the badger, which had puncture wounds, fractured limbs, and was nearly beheaded by a shovel or spade.

Bloodstains on Wade’s trousers matched the dead badger. Messages recovered from Wade’s phone revealed both men discussed their intentions, with one saying: “I’m keen mate. There is pigs in there. We’ll get a pig out of one of these setts if you are up for it.”

Another message or response read: “Can’t wait. Hope we get a good dig. Would be nice for pups.”

Both Wade and Rose admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal—specifically, their dogs—by provoking them to attack the badger.

Rose additionally pleaded guilty to a violent act that resulted in serious injury during an unrelated incident in Sunderland.

Wade's criminal history includes convictions for violence and animal cruelty in 2017, resulting in a suspended prison sentence. Rose, a married father of six, had prior convictions for serious violence and affray.

Sentencing saw Wade receive two years in prison and a lifetime ban on keeping animals. Judge Sean Morris described Wade as deriving a “sadistic thrill” from harming animals and called his actions “unforgivable,” emphasizing the cruelty involved in setting dogs against a badger, which resulted in extensive injuries and trauma.

The judge noted Wade’s “depravity,” stating, “This was sick and depraved, and you should hang your head in shame.” He further highlighted that Wade, also a father, showed a disturbing level of cruelty, with a lifetime ban on keeping animals imposed.

Rose was sentenced to 23 months in jail, banned from owning animals for ten years (until February 2035), and described by the judge as guilty of “shocking, sadistic and depraved” conduct. The court observed that one of Rose’s dogs was in a “shocking state” due to the injuries.

Additionally, Wade and Rose each received a 23-week sentence for the illegal killing of the badger, under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992, and a concurrent 16-week sentence for interfering with the sett.

Other charged individuals—Glyn Stubbs, born 27 May 1974, and his son Leon Stubbs, born 19 September 2005—of 17 Bedale Street, Hetton-le-Hole DH5 0BW, pleaded not guilty to the badger baiting offences. However, the charges against them were dismissed as police found Glyn and Leon Stubbs hiding under a hedge with a dog nearby, approximately one kilometre from the badger sett, at the time Wade and Rose were stopped. Messages on Wade’s phone referenced “digging” involving “Glynn” and “Leon.” Magistrates concluded there was insufficient evidence to link the Stubbs to the baiting activities.

In summary, Wade was sentenced to two years' imprisonment and a lifelong ban on owning animals, while Rose was sentenced to 23 months in prison, banned from keeping animals for ten years (expiring in February 2035). The case was reported by BBC News, Richmondshire Today, and Northern Farmer.