ANTON LEE KEIGHLEY BADGER BAITER AND ANIMAL CRUELTY OFFENDER SHOCKS COURT

Anton Lee, a man with a troubling history of animal cruelty and violent offenses, was brought before Bradford and Keighley Magistrates Court to face serious allegations involving the abuse and killing of badgers. Known to many in Keighley, Lee, who was born on March 24, 1989, and previously resided on Coronation Way before moving to 26 Ethel Street, was found to have engaged in disturbing acts of animal cruelty that have horrified the local community and animal welfare organizations alike.

During the court proceedings, magistrates were visibly distressed as they watched three graphic videos recorded by Lee himself on his mobile phone. These videos depicted the brutal treatment of badgers, which included scenes of violence and suffering that are considered among the worst cases of animal cruelty. The magistrates, including a tearful chairperson, were deeply affected by the footage, which showed a badger squealing in pain as it was attacked and shaken by Lee’s dog, and another badger being killed after being caught in the dog’s mouth. The videos also revealed a disturbing scene where a dog was seen fighting a badger inside its sett, a natural burrow.

Prosecutor Nigel Monaghan described the videos as depicting “an extreme amount of pain,” emphasizing that the badgers suffered immensely from baiting, which is a form of animal cruelty that inflicts severe injuries and distress. He further explained that the dogs involved also sustained injuries during these violent encounters. The RSPCA, which investigated the case, described the acts as “twisted and sick,” and stated that the cruelty involved was “as bad as one can get.”

In light of the evidence, the magistrates sentenced Lee to 23 weeks in prison, taking into account a three-week reduction for his guilty plea. Additionally, they imposed a lifetime ban on him keeping or caring for any animals, a ban that is non-appealable for 50 years. Lee has since appealed this lifetime ban, and under current regulations, he will be eligible to request a review after ten years, in 2022.

Lee’s criminal record extends beyond animal cruelty. In March 2013, he was sentenced to 18 months in jail for attacking an RAF serviceman, Reece Barnes, with a large iron bar and punching him in the face while on bail for the badger baiting charges. The assault resulted in a double fracture of Mr. Barnes’s jaw, requiring surgery for reconstruction. Court records also reveal that Lee has previous convictions for assault, attempted robbery, and battery.

More recently, in July 2020, Lee rebranded himself as a wildlife photographer under the name Yorkshire Image Photography, a stark contrast to his past actions. Despite his new persona, his history of violence and animal cruelty remains a dark chapter in his life, raising ongoing concerns about his conduct and the impact of his actions on the community and animal welfare.