PAUL WOODING FROM ROSS-ON-WYE SHAMES HIMSELF BY DRINKING LIVE FISH IN CRAZY NEKNOMINATE CHALLENGE

In a disturbing incident that has shocked the local community of Ross-on-Wye, Paul Wooding, born on April 7, 1981, and residing on Brampton Avenue, became the subject of legal action after participating in a reckless online trend known as Neknominate. The incident took place in February 2014 at a local pub, where Wooding recorded himself engaging in a dangerous and inhumane act involving live fish.

In the video, Wooding boldly proclaims, "this is my Neknominate," before consuming a large cocktail of alcohol that included wine, gin, vodka, rum, and lemonade. The shocking part of the footage was his addition of four live fish into the drink, which he then proceeded to swallow. The video quickly drew the attention of authorities and animal welfare organizations after it was posted on Wooding’s Facebook page.

Prosecutor Rafe Turner explained that a professional veterinarian examined the footage and confirmed that the fish appeared to have been caused pain, indicating they were alive when ingested. The RSPCA was alerted to the incident after the video was widely circulated online, prompting an investigation into the matter.

Following his initial interview, Wooding took to Facebook again, dismissing the outrage by stating, "Some people’s lives must be that sad and boring, to get any excitement they have to report me to the RSPCA for my Neknominate." During questioning, Wooding admitted that he had been nominated by friends to participate in the drinking game and that he had intentionally sought out small fish, specifically minnows, from a friend’s fish tank about an hour before the incident.

He further revealed that he had consumed approximately eight pints of alcohol and six double gins before the act at the Golf Inn in Ross-on-Wye. The prosecution’s case was supported by evidence from the RSPCA, which confirmed the fish were small minnows taken from a tank, and that they had been subjected to unnecessary suffering.

During the court proceedings, Chris Morgan, representing Wooding, questioned why the case had reached court when previous cautions had been issued for similar matters. Morgan argued that although the fish may have experienced pain and died, they were small creatures, and comparing their suffering to that of larger animals, such as horses, was unreasonable. He described his client as “stupid, irresponsible, and ashamed,” emphasizing that Wooding had already faced public ridicule and media scrutiny.

Morgan also stated that Wooding was unaware that his actions were illegal, asserting, “If it can ever be said of a crime that a defendant has learned the error of his ways, it can be said here.”

After the hearing, RSPCA inspector Mark Lewis condemned the act, stating, “There was a deliberate decision to take these fish and swallow them as part of this irresponsible game. The fish suffered unnecessarily, and it is simply not acceptable to treat an animal in this way purely for amusement.”

In sentencing, the court imposed an 18-month conditional discharge, along with costs and charges amounting to £515. The case has sparked widespread outrage and serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of online challenges that promote animal cruelty and reckless behavior.