TYLER EARWAKER AND LIAM SMITH'S BRUTAL ANIMAL CRUELTY IN POLEGATE REVEALED

In a disturbing case of animal cruelty that has shocked the community of Polegate, two young men, Tyler Rhys Earwaker and Liam Smith, have been found guilty of heinous acts involving the abuse and torture of wildlife. The investigation, carried out by the RSPCA, uncovered a series of videos and evidence that detailed their disturbing activities, which included setting packs of dogs on captured wild rabbits and encouraging animal cruelty for their own amusement.

Tyler Earwaker, born around 2000 and residing at 32 Shalfleet Close, Eastbourne BN23 8DU, pleaded guilty to six separate offences related to animal cruelty. Liam Smith, born circa 1999 and living at 43 Kensington Way, Polegate BN26 6FH, admitted to two charges. Both individuals faced prosecution following a thorough investigation that was initiated after a tip-off in May 2019. Inspector Carroll Lamport of the RSPCA led the inquiry, which involved examining numerous mobile phone videos that depicted the pair’s disturbing activities.

The footage revealed scenes of wild rabbits being chased across open fields, as well as within fenced areas such as basketball courts and children’s playgrounds—places where escape was virtually impossible for the animals. The videos showed the rabbits in a state of extreme distress, with some being kicked, thrown to the ground, or subjected to violent treatment. The rabbits’ suffering was evident, and the footage captured the terrifying chase and the subsequent unnecessary pain inflicted upon them.

Further investigation led to a police warrant executed on May 14 at an address in Eastbourne. During the raid, officers seized several mobile phones and discovered five dogs belonging to Earwaker’s family. The dogs appeared to be in good health, and the property contained various animal enclosures, including hutches and cages, some housing ferrets. Inspector Lamport noted the presence of long hunting nets and animal carriers, which were used for trapping animals. Earwaker admitted to using a large trap for catching rabbits, baited with carrots. Bloodstained coats belonging to Earwaker were also found, alongside seized phones and an iPad.

Four dogs—two lurchers and two terriers—were taken into police custody, and Earwaker was interviewed regarding their involvement. During the investigation, a connection was made to Liam Smith’s father, who claimed that one of the seized dogs belonged to him. It was revealed that Smith had been involved in rabbiting and ferreting activities with Earwaker, where they would catch rabbits and then drop them in front of their dogs to chase, ostensibly as a form of training. The court ordered that the four dogs be returned to their respective owners.

In sentencing, Tyler Earwaker received a 12-month community order, which included 200 hours of unpaid work. He was also disqualified from keeping rabbits for five years and ordered to pay £300 in costs along with an £85 victim surcharge. Liam Smith received a similar sentence—also a 12-month community order—but with 100 hours of unpaid work. He too was disqualified from keeping rabbits for five years and was ordered to pay the same costs and surcharge.

In a subsequent development in August 2022, Earwaker was banned for life from keeping or transporting birds after a separate incident involving the cruel confinement of a wild goldfinch. Officers attended a property in Windmill Hill, Polegate, on January 23, 2022, and found the bird locked inside a cage. Despite veterinary efforts, the goldfinch died ten days later due to the stress and trauma caused by captivity. Earwaker, now residing on Beatty Road, Eastbourne, was arrested on suspicion of possessing a wild bird contrary to the Wildlife and Countryside Act. He pleaded guilty at Hastings Magistrates’ Court on August 10, 2022, and was sentenced to 100 hours of unpaid work, ordered to pay a £95 victim surcharge and £85 in court costs. Additionally, he received a Community Protection Warning instructing him not to trespass on private land without permission. The court also imposed a lifetime ban on dealing with, keeping, or transporting any birds or wildfowl.

Rural Crime Team PC Carlo Leone emphasized the seriousness of such offences, stating, “The trade in wild songbirds such as this is a cruel one. Removing a wild bird from its natural habitat and placing it in a tiny cage for a person’s own amusement can cause the birds to suffer immeasurably, as happened in this case. We take offences against all animals incredibly seriously, and will not tolerate any behaviour which causes distress or harm to wildlife.”

This case highlights the ongoing issues of animal cruelty in the Polegate area and underscores the efforts of law enforcement and animal welfare organizations to combat such heinous acts and protect vulnerable wildlife from exploitation and suffering.