Crime

Man jailed after ‘sadistic’ badger stabbing video

Published

8 months ago

October 9, 2025

Judge condemns viral “entertainment” clips of dogs attacking mammals — RSPCA warns of wider persecution risk in West Wales

A CAERPHILLY man has been jailed for 16 weeks after persecuting badgers in what a judge described as “deliberate and sadistic” acts of cruelty. Videos recovered from his phone showed mammals being stabbed, kicked, and mauled by dogs.

Lloyd Gary Robert Davies, of Bryn Heol, Bedwas, was also banned from keeping animals for life after pleading guilty to offences under both the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 and the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

Newport Magistrates’ Court heard how Davies set lurchers on badgers, filmed the attacks, and shared them. In one recovered video, a man’s hand plunged a knife into an injured badger after it was kicked and savaged by dogs. Davies also used his female lurcher, Shirley, in multiple illegal hunts, exposing her to serious injury and lending her out for the same purpose.

***Davies set lurchers on badgers, filmed the attacks, and shared them (Image: RSPCA)***

District Judge Sophie Toms described the cruelty as “absolutely disgusting,” saying: “This was deliberate and sadistic cruelty, filmed and shared for entertainment — one of the most serious cases of cruelty I’ve had to deal with in all my time.” She added that she would have preferred to impose a longer sentence, “but regrettably my hands are somewhat tied.”

In addition to the prison term, Davies was ordered to pay £400 in costs and a £154 victim surcharge. The prosecution followed analysis of a mobile phone seized from him, which contained 13 videos showing lurchers attacking “vocalising, bloodied” badgers, with onlookers encouraging them to continue.

In mitigation, Davies’ defence pointed out his youth — he was 22 when many offences occurred — and said he suffered from ADHD and autism. The court heard he “fell in with a bad crowd,” loved his dog Shirley, and was “deeply remorseful.” He has since signed over Shirley to the RSPCA, who rehabilitated her and found her a new home elsewhere in the UK.

An RSPCA Special Operations Unit spokesperson said:
“This case shows how people who persecute wildlife for pleasure will not be tolerated. We will investigate them and bring them to justice.”

The RSPCA worked in partnership with Gwent Police and Natural Resources Wales on the case. PC Rhys Jones of Gwent Police said:
“This case highlights the importance of our link with the RSPCA to ensure that offenders like Davies do not get away with these cruel acts.”

David Griffiths of Natural Resources Wales added:
“Badgers and their setts are safeguarded by law — any harm to them without a valid licence is a criminal offence. This prosecution sends a strong message that such appalling acts will not be tolerated.”

Badger persecution in West Wales

While this latest case was prosecuted in Gwent, the RSPCA says badger baiting and sett interference continue to pose a risk across Wales — including Pembrokeshire and neighbouring counties.

In April 2025, two men from Ceredigion were sentenced after shooting a badger dead, dragging its body down a hill, and throwing it into a bog near Esgairdawe, Carmarthenshire. The same case involved illegal interference with a badger sett, possession of firearms, and the use of dogs to hunt badgers.

A 2018 undercover BBC investigation exposed a network of badger baiters operating across Wales — including in Pembrokeshire — where men were filmed digging into setts and setting dogs on badgers, sometimes killing them with spades.

And in 2006–07, a major prosecution linked to Boncath uncovered evidence of badger baiting after a badger was found in a lurcher’s mouth near a dug sett, with bloodstained shovels nearby. Two men from Ceredigion were later convicted at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court.

Although most prosecutions are handled in neighbouring counties, these cases show that Pembrokeshire is not immune to wildlife persecution — and that illegal badger baiting remains a live concern across West Wales.

Crime

Drug trafficker must repay £33,000 after court rules he made nearly £500,000

Published

7 hours ago

June 17, 2026

Court Reporter

A PEMBROKESHIRE drug trafficker jailed after a major cocaine and cannabis seizure has been ordered to repay more than £33,000.

Dean Evans, 44, returned to Swansea Crown Court for a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing after prosecutors sought to recover money made through his offending.

The court heard it had been agreed that Evans benefited from criminal conduct by £496,533.94. However, his available assets were calculated at £33,337.37.

Judge Catherine Richards made a confiscation order for that amount and gave Evans three months to pay. If he fails to do so, he faces a further year in prison.

Evans, of St Clements Park, Freystrop, is already serving an eight-year sentence after admitting possession with intent to supply cocaine and cannabis.

He was caught after Dyfed-Powys Police’s Roads Policing Unit stopped his Seat Ateca on Holyland Road, Pembroke, at around 10:25am on January 2.

Officers searched the vehicle after Evans admitted they would find “stuff” inside.

They discovered around one kilogram of cocaine in a cardboard box in the boot, together with 5.4 kilograms of cannabis in a black bin bag. The cannabis had been split into ten vacuum-sealed bags.

Swansea Crown Court was previously told the drugs had a combined potential street value of up to £185,000, made up of around £125,000 of cocaine and cannabis worth up to £60,000.

A mobile phone seized from Evans revealed what prosecutors described as a “dealer’s list”, with dozens of names and sums believed to be owed. Messages also showed Evans directing dealers below him in the supply chain.

At the original sentencing hearing, the court was told Evans had 23 previous convictions for 62 offences, including rape and robbery. His previous drug matters had related only to possession.

Sarah John, mitigating, said he had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and had stayed out of trouble for a “fairly lengthy period”, with his last conviction in 2016.

Jailing Evans for eight years, Judge Paul Thomas KC said: “You are clearly a man with few criminal boundaries.

“You ensnared users and low-level drug dealers into debt, dragging them into a vicious circle of criminality.”

After sentencing, DC Phill Jones, of Pembrokeshire’s Serious Organised Crime Unit, said illegal drugs brought misery to local communities and would not be tolerated.

He said: “This sentence should serve as a stark warning to any others who are tempted into the illegal drugs trade. You will get caught and you will go to prison.”

Photo caption: Drugs seized:

Dean Evans was caught with cocaine and cannabis worth up to £185,000 in his car (Pic: Dyfed-Powys Police).

Crime

Man wanted by court after failing to attend hearing over alleged shop thefts

Published

9 hours ago

June 16, 2026

Court Reporter

A MAN is wanted by the courts after failing to attend a hearing relating to a series of alleged shop thefts in Pembrokeshire.

Jack Morgan, of Pembroke, was due to appear before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (Jun 16) but failed to attend.

The court heard that Morgan faces several allegations of shop theft from businesses in Pembrokeshire.

The charges include the alleged theft of vodka from the Co-op in Pembroke Dock, along with food and drink items including sausages, crisps and Dragon Soop from The Green Garage.

The alleged offences are said to have taken place on various dates earlier this year.

After Morgan failed to attend court, magistrates issued a warrant for his arrest without bail.

He will now be brought before the court once located by police.

Court officials heard that the matters remain before the court and no pleas have yet been entered.

Crime

Shop theft admitted after alcohol stolen from Haverfordwest store

Published

9 hours ago

June 16, 2026

Court Reporter

A WOMAN has admitted shoplifting alcohol from a Haverfordwest store.

Esme Hoyle appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (Jun 16) charged with theft from a shop.

The court heard that Hoyle stole alcohol worth £17 from B&M in Haverfordwest on Sunday, April 6.

Hoyle pleaded guilty to the offence.

Magistrates sentenced Hoyle following her guilty plea and imposed financial penalties, including prosecution costs and a victim surcharge.

The court was told the offence related to a low-value retail theft from the town centre store.

Retail theft continues to place pressure on local businesses across Pembrokeshire, with stores increasingly reporting repeated incidents of shoplifting.