MARK SMALLMAN FROM ACREFAIR SENTENCED FOR DOG THEFT IN WREXHAM
| Red Rose Database
Acrefair Animal Abuser
In a case that has shocked the local community of Acrefair and the wider Wrexham area, Mark Smallman, born around 1973 and residing in Alwen, Acrefair, was convicted of a serious animal theft that took place in late 2020. The incident involved the theft of four toy poodles from a reputable commercial breeder, Vicarage Kennels, located on Berse Road in New Broughton, Wrexham. The owner of the kennels, Julie Ann and David Crabtree, reported that the theft occurred on November 18, 2020, during the night when the premises were believed to be secure.
According to court proceedings, Smallman’s criminal behavior was driven by underlying drug addiction issues, which had historically fueled his persistent offending. Initially, he appeared before magistrates in Llandudno during the summer of 2021, where he denied any involvement in the theft. The case was scheduled for trial in October 2021, but just weeks before the hearing, Smallman confessed to the crime, admitting to stealing the four toy poodles.
During the theft, Smallman managed to gain entry into the kennels by snapping a padlock, an act that was confirmed by the owners after they checked the premises on the night of the burglary and found nothing unusual. The police investigation revealed that Smallman left behind a “not so insignificant quantity of blood,” which was subsequently tested and used as evidence linking him to the crime.
The stolen dogs included three female poodles and one male. Three of the animals were recovered, but tragically, one of the dogs died after being hit by a car in the Brymbo area, a rural part of Wrexham. It remains unclear how the dog managed to escape or become loose in the countryside before the fatal incident. The owners launched a social media appeal in an effort to locate the missing animals, which garnered public attention and assistance.
In a significant development, a woman contacted the Crabtrees, believing she had purchased the remaining three poodles for approximately £5,000. This information was confirmed when Ms. Crabtree visited the buyers the following day, verifying the sale. The investigation also revealed that Smallman’s actions were part of a broader pattern of criminal activity motivated by his drug dependency.
Smallman was arrested on January 13, 2021, and during his sentencing hearing, his defense lawyer, Simon Kileen, acknowledged that incarceration was inevitable but urged the judge to impose the shortest possible sentence. Kileen emphasized that Smallman’s offending was rooted in drug addiction and that he had been attempting to turn his life around, noting that it had been some time since his last criminal act and expressing hope for his rehabilitation.
Judge Recorder John Philpotts addressed Smallman directly, expressing that his actions had caused “great sadness” to the family who lost one of their beloved poodles. The court sentenced Smallman to two years in prison. The judge highlighted that while there was no evidence to suggest Smallman was involved in the selling of the dogs, he was responsible for taking them initially. The loss of one of the animals, which was permanently taken from the owners, was deemed to have caused “serious trauma” to the kennel owners and their family.
This case underscores the devastating impact of animal theft and the consequences of criminal behavior driven by addiction. The community of Acrefair and Wrexham continues to mourn the loss of the beloved pet and hopes that justice serves as a warning to others involved in similar crimes.
According to court proceedings, Smallman’s criminal behavior was driven by underlying drug addiction issues, which had historically fueled his persistent offending. Initially, he appeared before magistrates in Llandudno during the summer of 2021, where he denied any involvement in the theft. The case was scheduled for trial in October 2021, but just weeks before the hearing, Smallman confessed to the crime, admitting to stealing the four toy poodles.
During the theft, Smallman managed to gain entry into the kennels by snapping a padlock, an act that was confirmed by the owners after they checked the premises on the night of the burglary and found nothing unusual. The police investigation revealed that Smallman left behind a “not so insignificant quantity of blood,” which was subsequently tested and used as evidence linking him to the crime.
The stolen dogs included three female poodles and one male. Three of the animals were recovered, but tragically, one of the dogs died after being hit by a car in the Brymbo area, a rural part of Wrexham. It remains unclear how the dog managed to escape or become loose in the countryside before the fatal incident. The owners launched a social media appeal in an effort to locate the missing animals, which garnered public attention and assistance.
In a significant development, a woman contacted the Crabtrees, believing she had purchased the remaining three poodles for approximately £5,000. This information was confirmed when Ms. Crabtree visited the buyers the following day, verifying the sale. The investigation also revealed that Smallman’s actions were part of a broader pattern of criminal activity motivated by his drug dependency.
Smallman was arrested on January 13, 2021, and during his sentencing hearing, his defense lawyer, Simon Kileen, acknowledged that incarceration was inevitable but urged the judge to impose the shortest possible sentence. Kileen emphasized that Smallman’s offending was rooted in drug addiction and that he had been attempting to turn his life around, noting that it had been some time since his last criminal act and expressing hope for his rehabilitation.
Judge Recorder John Philpotts addressed Smallman directly, expressing that his actions had caused “great sadness” to the family who lost one of their beloved poodles. The court sentenced Smallman to two years in prison. The judge highlighted that while there was no evidence to suggest Smallman was involved in the selling of the dogs, he was responsible for taking them initially. The loss of one of the animals, which was permanently taken from the owners, was deemed to have caused “serious trauma” to the kennel owners and their family.
This case underscores the devastating impact of animal theft and the consequences of criminal behavior driven by addiction. The community of Acrefair and Wrexham continues to mourn the loss of the beloved pet and hopes that justice serves as a warning to others involved in similar crimes.