CALLUM FREW OF FLIMBY BANNED FOR LIFE AFTER BRUTAL WILDLIFE CRIMES IN MARYPORT
| Red Rose Database
Flimby Animal Abuser
Callum Jay Frew, born in June 1997 and residing at Lavender Hill, Flimby Brow, Flimby, Maryport CA15 8TD, has been convicted of a series of heinous wildlife crimes committed between 2018 and 2019. As a member of a disturbing hunting gang operating in the Flimby area, Frew participated in and facilitated brutal acts of animal cruelty, including the illegal persecution of badgers, foxes, and deer.
Frew’s criminal activities came to light following an investigation by the RSPCA’s Special Operations Unit, which was triggered by the discovery of disturbing footage on a mobile phone during a separate police inquiry. The footage depicted members of the gang, including Frew, engaging in illegal activities such as badger digging, baiting, and setting dogs on wildlife. The images showed the men with their dogs, actively digging into badger setts and encouraging their animals to attack defenseless creatures. The distressing scenes captured the animals crying out as they were attacked and killed, revealing the brutal nature of these blood sports.
Further investigation uncovered additional evidence against Frew, including footage and images of him setting his dogs upon foxes and badgers. The police, led by investigating officer Jason Bowles, confirmed that the footage clearly demonstrated the infliction of pain and suffering on innocent wildlife. Bowles emphasized the brutality of these activities, describing badger baiting and digging as violent, illegal blood sports that cause severe injuries not only to the targeted animals but also to the dogs involved.
Frew admitted to ten separate offences, which included the wilful killing of a badger, causing suffering to a fox by encouraging dogs to chase and attack it, and neglecting his injured lurcher, which had infected painful injuries to its face. The offences spanned over two years, highlighting a pattern of cruelty and disregard for animal welfare.
In addition to his criminal convictions, Frew was handed a series of penalties. He received concurrent jail sentences of 120 days for each offence, which were suspended for 18 months. He was also subjected to a community order that included a 26-week curfew and 100 hours of unpaid work. Financial penalties included costs of £2,000 and a victim surcharge of £122. His mobile phones were ordered to be destroyed to prevent further misuse of evidence. Most significantly, Frew was disqualified from keeping all animals for life, a measure aimed at preventing him from engaging in future cruelty. Additionally, a deprivation order was issued for two whippet-type dogs that were involved in the crimes.
Representatives from Cumbria Police expressed their satisfaction with the outcome, with PC Samantha O’Key, the wildlife, rural, and environmental crime coordinator, stating, “We are very pleased with the outcome of this investigation and the subsequent convictions that have been brought against the individuals, as Cumbria Police takes animal cruelty very seriously. We worked diligently with our RSPCA colleagues, and this is a good example of partnership working at its most effective.”
Frew’s actions and the subsequent legal proceedings underscore the ongoing efforts by law enforcement and animal welfare organizations to combat wildlife crime and hold offenders accountable for their cruelty in the Flimby and Maryport areas.
Frew’s criminal activities came to light following an investigation by the RSPCA’s Special Operations Unit, which was triggered by the discovery of disturbing footage on a mobile phone during a separate police inquiry. The footage depicted members of the gang, including Frew, engaging in illegal activities such as badger digging, baiting, and setting dogs on wildlife. The images showed the men with their dogs, actively digging into badger setts and encouraging their animals to attack defenseless creatures. The distressing scenes captured the animals crying out as they were attacked and killed, revealing the brutal nature of these blood sports.
Further investigation uncovered additional evidence against Frew, including footage and images of him setting his dogs upon foxes and badgers. The police, led by investigating officer Jason Bowles, confirmed that the footage clearly demonstrated the infliction of pain and suffering on innocent wildlife. Bowles emphasized the brutality of these activities, describing badger baiting and digging as violent, illegal blood sports that cause severe injuries not only to the targeted animals but also to the dogs involved.
Frew admitted to ten separate offences, which included the wilful killing of a badger, causing suffering to a fox by encouraging dogs to chase and attack it, and neglecting his injured lurcher, which had infected painful injuries to its face. The offences spanned over two years, highlighting a pattern of cruelty and disregard for animal welfare.
In addition to his criminal convictions, Frew was handed a series of penalties. He received concurrent jail sentences of 120 days for each offence, which were suspended for 18 months. He was also subjected to a community order that included a 26-week curfew and 100 hours of unpaid work. Financial penalties included costs of £2,000 and a victim surcharge of £122. His mobile phones were ordered to be destroyed to prevent further misuse of evidence. Most significantly, Frew was disqualified from keeping all animals for life, a measure aimed at preventing him from engaging in future cruelty. Additionally, a deprivation order was issued for two whippet-type dogs that were involved in the crimes.
Representatives from Cumbria Police expressed their satisfaction with the outcome, with PC Samantha O’Key, the wildlife, rural, and environmental crime coordinator, stating, “We are very pleased with the outcome of this investigation and the subsequent convictions that have been brought against the individuals, as Cumbria Police takes animal cruelty very seriously. We worked diligently with our RSPCA colleagues, and this is a good example of partnership working at its most effective.”
Frew’s actions and the subsequent legal proceedings underscore the ongoing efforts by law enforcement and animal welfare organizations to combat wildlife crime and hold offenders accountable for their cruelty in the Flimby and Maryport areas.