WAKEFIELD AND PONTEFRACT OFFENDERS TODD JENKINSON AND LUKE KENDALL CAUGHT POACHING

In a recent case that highlights ongoing concerns about illegal hunting and wildlife crimes in the Wakefield and Pontefract areas, Todd Jenkinson and Luke Kendall faced charges related to poaching activities. The incident took place in the rural lands surrounding Eastoft, Amcotts, and Garthorpe, where the two men were caught entering private land with the intent of hunting or destroying game animals.

Jenkinson, born on February 23, 1989, and formerly residing on Wesley Street in South Elmsall, has been linked to various criminal activities over the years. As of September 2019, he was recorded as living at Abbott Terrace in Wakefield, with the postcode WF1 5PU. His accomplice, Luke Kendall, born around 1986, has previously lived on Middlecliff Lane in Little Houghton but is now based on Wakefield Road in Ackworth, Pontefract, with the postcode WF7 7AH.

The pair faced two separate charges for entering land at Eastoft, Amcotts, and Garthorpe with high-powered spotlights, a common tool used in illegal night-time hunting. Their purpose was to locate and take or destroy game animals, a practice that is both illegal and detrimental to local wildlife populations. Both men were found guilty and received fines of £200 each as part of their sentencing.

The case sheds light on the broader issue of wildlife crime in the region, which has seen increased scrutiny in recent years. Jenkinson’s criminal record and associations reveal a pattern of involvement in activities that threaten local wildlife and animal welfare. Notably, he has been linked to individuals such as Dale Shields and Murphy Thorne, who were convicted of badger baiting in September 2019.

Furthermore, Jenkinson was an active member of a notorious Facebook group called ‘Let the dog see the hare,’ which was removed in August 2019. This group was known for its promotion of illegal hunting and animal cruelty, particularly involving dogs used to chase and kill wild animals. Jenkinson did not hide his enthusiasm for such activities, openly expressing his desire to kill wild animals with dogs.

Disturbingly, Jenkinson’s social media activity also included a callous reaction to a disturbing post showing a decomposing, dumped dog in a ditch. Instead of expressing concern, he responded with amusement and suggested that the animal could be revived using “purple spray,” an inside joke among group members. When challenged about his insensitivity, he dismissed the seriousness of the situation, telling others to “lighten up” and that they shouldn’t “tek life t serious,” revealing a troubling attitude towards animal suffering.