STEPHEN LEES FROM ST ASAPH SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC ANIMAL CRUELTY IN WELSH FARM
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St Asaph Animal Abuser
In a disturbing case of animal cruelty, Stephen Paul Lees, a resident of Cwttir Lane in St Asaph, was found guilty of an offence under the Animal Welfare Act in his absence. The conviction was handed down on 13 May 2021 at Mold Magistrates’ Court, following a series of distressing events involving a grey Arab mare on a local farm.
Back in October 2019, RSPCA inspector Jenny Anderton responded to urgent welfare concerns raised about the condition of the mare. Upon inspection, the animal was discovered in a field with a halter rope tightly wrapped around her face, causing severe injuries. The mare was also wearing a roller around her body, and a headcollar with a dangling lead rope was attached to her head. The repeated pulling of the rope caused the headcollar to tighten progressively, inflicting immense pain and suffering on the animal.
Despite the clear signs of distress and injury, Lees was advised by the RSPCA to seek immediate veterinary assistance for the mare. The inspector urged him to find a veterinarian capable of sedating the horse if she could not be caught easily. However, Lees showed blatant disregard for the animal’s welfare. Instead of cooperating, he attempted to catch the mare by driving after her in a vehicle and repeatedly honking the horn, actions that only heightened her distress and fear.
Lees explicitly stated to the RSPCA that he had “absolutely no intention of incurring any vet bills,” further demonstrating his neglectful attitude towards the suffering animal. The RSPCA’s efforts to secure veterinary help were ultimately successful when a veterinarian was contacted and able to sedate the mare with a dart. Unfortunately, the injuries inflicted by the halter rope were so severe that the veterinarian concluded the mare had to be euthanized to prevent her from enduring further pain.
Veterinary examinations revealed that the mare’s skull had been left exposed, with deep wounds on the underside of her jaw. The injuries were infected with maggots and eggs, indicating prolonged suffering and neglect. The veterinary team confirmed that the mare had been subjected to unnecessary pain and suffering due to the cruel application of the rope halter and her subsequent confinement in the field.
Leanne Hardy, Chief Inspector of RSPCA Cymru, expressed her disappointment and frustration over the case. She stated, “We urged the man to seek veterinary attention for the horse and to get help in catching the distressed horse if this was needed – but this was not heeded. At the site, our inspector Jenny Anderton instead witnessed the man driving after the horse in a vehicle and beeping the horn repeatedly. This would only have caused the horse great distress and only made a bad situation even worse.”
Following the investigation, Lees was sentenced to 18 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months. Additionally, he was ordered to complete 25 days of rehabilitation, pay £600 in costs, and a victim surcharge of £122. He was also disqualified from keeping any equines for a period of 18 months, a ban that expired in November 2022.
This case highlights the ongoing issues of animal cruelty and the importance of enforcing animal welfare laws to protect vulnerable creatures from such neglect and abuse.
Back in October 2019, RSPCA inspector Jenny Anderton responded to urgent welfare concerns raised about the condition of the mare. Upon inspection, the animal was discovered in a field with a halter rope tightly wrapped around her face, causing severe injuries. The mare was also wearing a roller around her body, and a headcollar with a dangling lead rope was attached to her head. The repeated pulling of the rope caused the headcollar to tighten progressively, inflicting immense pain and suffering on the animal.
Despite the clear signs of distress and injury, Lees was advised by the RSPCA to seek immediate veterinary assistance for the mare. The inspector urged him to find a veterinarian capable of sedating the horse if she could not be caught easily. However, Lees showed blatant disregard for the animal’s welfare. Instead of cooperating, he attempted to catch the mare by driving after her in a vehicle and repeatedly honking the horn, actions that only heightened her distress and fear.
Lees explicitly stated to the RSPCA that he had “absolutely no intention of incurring any vet bills,” further demonstrating his neglectful attitude towards the suffering animal. The RSPCA’s efforts to secure veterinary help were ultimately successful when a veterinarian was contacted and able to sedate the mare with a dart. Unfortunately, the injuries inflicted by the halter rope were so severe that the veterinarian concluded the mare had to be euthanized to prevent her from enduring further pain.
Veterinary examinations revealed that the mare’s skull had been left exposed, with deep wounds on the underside of her jaw. The injuries were infected with maggots and eggs, indicating prolonged suffering and neglect. The veterinary team confirmed that the mare had been subjected to unnecessary pain and suffering due to the cruel application of the rope halter and her subsequent confinement in the field.
Leanne Hardy, Chief Inspector of RSPCA Cymru, expressed her disappointment and frustration over the case. She stated, “We urged the man to seek veterinary attention for the horse and to get help in catching the distressed horse if this was needed – but this was not heeded. At the site, our inspector Jenny Anderton instead witnessed the man driving after the horse in a vehicle and beeping the horn repeatedly. This would only have caused the horse great distress and only made a bad situation even worse.”
Following the investigation, Lees was sentenced to 18 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months. Additionally, he was ordered to complete 25 days of rehabilitation, pay £600 in costs, and a victim surcharge of £122. He was also disqualified from keeping any equines for a period of 18 months, a ban that expired in November 2022.
This case highlights the ongoing issues of animal cruelty and the importance of enforcing animal welfare laws to protect vulnerable creatures from such neglect and abuse.