BRADLEY TOMES FROM PRESTON JAILED FOR CRUELTY TO EXOTIC ANIMALS IN HESKETH BANK AND TARLETON

Bradley Tomes, a man from Preston, has been found guilty of multiple animal welfare violations after a disturbing investigation into his treatment of exotic animals in the areas of Hesketh Bank and Tarleton. Born on April 27, 1995, Tomes resided on Moss Lane in Hesketh Bank when authorities uncovered the extent of his neglect and the poor conditions in which he kept numerous rare and exotic species.

In 2019, the RSPCA responded to distress calls from police at two separate locations linked to Tomes. The first was a farm on Taylors Meanygate in Tarleton, where inspectors discovered animals living in deplorable conditions. The second was a shed-like structure situated at the back of a property on Moss Lane, also in Tarleton. The conditions at both sites were described as filthy, with many animals suffering from neglect, untreated injuries, and inadequate access to food and water.

Among the animals rescued were six iguanas, two mara (large South American rodents), 16 peafowl, two pelicans, three agouti (another type of South American rodent), five porcupines, a green parakeet, two jardine parrots, a golden pheasant, a green-winged macaw, a white-necked raven, and a cape parrot. The RSPCA's Deputy Chief Inspector Alison Fletcher expressed her shock at the conditions, noting that some of these species were unfamiliar to her team and had never been encountered in such neglect before.

She detailed the squalid environment, including a small plastic crate measuring just 300mm in height, where two mara were confined, with insufficient space to move. The crate's dimensions—560mm deep and 870mm long—offered no real room for the animals to turn around. Other animals, including three agoutis, two pelicans, and 13 peafowl, were kept in similarly unsuitable enclosures. Porcupines were found in a muddy, wet pen with minimal shelter, exposed to near-freezing temperatures, snow, and driving rain.

At the second address, a macaw was discovered inside a black crate akin to a dog cage, with its tail feathers touching the sides. All six iguanas at this location were in poor health, with four exhibiting injuries to their tails. Tragically, two animals—a mara and an agouti—died following the rescue, and additional dead birds and animals were found at both sites. However, charges could only be brought for the animals whose cause of death could be confirmed.

During court proceedings, Tomes’s defense argued that he had a lifelong interest in animals and had previously worked as a zoo keeper. It was also noted that he had signed over all the animals in February 2019, shortly after the rescue. He pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity, and it was revealed that he had recently experienced a difficult breakup but had since turned his life around, securing new employment and a new relationship.

Following the conviction, the court sentenced Tomes to 20 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months. He was also ordered to complete 25 days of rehabilitation, perform 120 hours of community service, and pay costs and charges totaling £615. Additionally, he was disqualified from keeping any animals for five years, with no appeal allowed for the first two years, a ban set to expire in July 2024.

Further updates in October 2020 revealed that Tomes was later sentenced to two years and eight months in prison after pleading guilty to stealing approximately £25,000 worth of rare birds, including two penguins, from South Lakes Safari in Cumbria. His criminal activities included breaking into the safari park on two occasions in 2018, in July and October, to steal the valuable birds. He was caught in January 2019 while attempting to transport the stolen penguins to a collector’s residence. The stolen animals included 12 spoonbills valued at over £20,000, two Humboldt penguins, and three macaws. Despite his convictions, none of the stolen birds were recovered, and the case highlighted his involvement in the illegal trade of exotic wildlife.