PETER STANLEY OF DOVECOT SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC MONKEY TORTURE VIDEOS IN LIVERPOOL

Peter Stanley, a resident of 75 Dovecot Avenue in Dovecot, Liverpool, has been convicted in 2024 for his involvement in sharing extremely disturbing videos depicting the torture of baby monkeys. The case has garnered significant attention due to the heinous nature of the content and the unprecedented legal proceedings in the North West region.

Stanley’s actions came to light after investigations revealed his participation in a private Facebook group called ‘Monkey Sauce,’ where members were encouraged to share and view graphic videos of animal cruelty. The court heard that between April 3 and June 24, 2023, Stanley posted three videos showing baby macaque monkeys being subjected to brutal abuse. These videos, ranging from seven to fifteen minutes in length, depicted horrifying scenes believed to have been filmed in either Thailand or Indonesia, involving the mutilation and torture of the young primates.

In these videos, the monkeys were shown being nailed to trees, mutilated with tools such as pliers, hatchets, and machetes, and subjected to other forms of extreme cruelty. Stanley’s social media comments accompanying the videos further demonstrated his disturbing engagement; he remarked “now do as you are told” on one, called another “a fav of mine,” and described a third as “this rat has nailed it.”

Legal representatives, including Mr. Taylor and defence counsel Charles Lander, explained to the court that this case was the first of its kind to be sentenced in the North West, highlighting the lack of existing guidelines for such offences. The case has set a precedent, with other individuals, such as Holly LeGresley from Kidderminster and Adriana Orme from Upton-upon-Severn, Worcestershire, scheduled for sentencing in October 2024 for their roles in a global network involved in the torture and killing of baby monkeys. These women admitted to uploading numerous images and videos, with LeGresley alone admitting to sharing 22 images and 132 videos.

The investigation was sparked by a BBC documentary titled ‘The Monkey Haters,’ which uncovered streaming videos of baby monkey torture, primarily filmed in Southeast Asia. These videos showed the deliberate infliction of pain and fear on infant monkeys, causing both physical injuries and emotional trauma. The police traced these videos back to individuals across the UK, leading to multiple criminal investigations.

Stanley’s involvement was uncovered after a volunteer from Action for Primates reported his activities to the police. On March 26, 2024, officers executed a warrant at his home, seizing his mobile phone. The device contained online searches such as “how to tell if a baby monkey is distressed” and material related to bestiality involving horses. During police interviews, Stanley admitted that he initially started watching videos of wild monkeys and questioned how badly they could be hurt. He stated he viewed approximately 70 videos within the private Facebook group between June 23 and October 23, ceasing only after encountering an extremely graphic video.

Prosecutors argued that the severity of the suffering depicted in the videos warranted a custodial sentence, emphasizing that individuals like Stanley perpetuate the illegal trade and abuse of animals. Stanley pleaded guilty to three counts of publishing obscene articles depicting animal torture. His Honour Judge Ian Harris condemned his actions, describing the offences as “utterly repellent” and stating that such behaviour has no place in a civilized society. The judge sentenced Stanley to 20 months in prison, ordered the destruction of his mobile phone, and imposed a statutory surcharge.

Stanley’s parents, Leslie and Jeanette Stanley, attended the court proceedings, describing their son as “a gentle giant.” Stanley attempted to embrace his mother as he was led away from the dock, reflecting a moment of familial support amidst the serious charges.

Following the sentencing, Sarah Kite, founder of Action for Primates, expressed her gratitude to Merseyside Police for their decisive action. She emphasized the importance of prosecuting those involved in distributing such graphic content, calling it a crime that must be condemned. Kite also urged social media platforms like Meta to take stronger measures to prevent the posting of such disturbing material.

Thomas Quirk, senior crown prosecutor for the Mersey-Cheshire Crown Prosecution Service, highlighted the horrific nature of the videos, which included sexual torture and inflicted severe pain on defenseless animals. He condemned Stanley’s actions, stating that his publication of these videos was for pleasure and was illegal. Quirk thanked the witnesses and police for their efforts in bringing the case to a successful conclusion, reaffirming that Stanley’s actions were a grave violation of animal welfare laws and that he would face the consequences of his crimes.