CHRISTOPHER BENNETT AND GEMMA BROGAN'S HORRIFIC ANIMAL AND CHILD NEGLECT IN EASTBOURNE

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Eastbourne, authorities uncovered severe neglect involving both animals and children at the residence of Christopher Bennett and Gemma Brogan. The property, located at 24A St Philips Avenue, became the focus of a detailed investigation after reports of appalling conditions and animal cruelty surfaced.

Back in June 2021, RSPCA Inspector Cora Peeters, alongside Sussex Police officers, responded to a distress call concerning the couple’s address. Upon arrival, they were met with an overwhelming stench of faeces and urine that permeated the entire property, even through the inspector’s mask. The scene was chaotic and distressing, with the noise of numerous dogs barking loudly and incessantly, creating an almost unbearable atmosphere.

As the door was opened, Inspector Peeters described being greeted by a multitude of small faces—Yorkshire Terriers and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels—pressing against each other in desperation to escape the filthy environment. The interior was poorly lit, but the inspector could immediately see that many of the dogs were dangerously underweight, with coats matted and crusted with dirt. The smell of urine and faeces was overpowering, and the air was thick with the stench of neglect.

The team, working in collaboration with police, managed to rescue a total of 36 dogs from the premises. Most of these animals were loose within the house, but some were confined in deplorable conditions. Two dogs were found in a filthy crate in the kitchen, lacking any bedding, while another two dogs were discovered in a small bedroom that, although cleaner than the rest of the house, still lacked access to food and water. Tragically, one dog was found deceased in the middle of the kitchen floor, a heartbreaking sight that underscored the severity of the neglect.

Veterinary examinations revealed that all the dogs—comprising Yorkshire Terriers, King Charles Cavalier Spaniels, and Border Collies—were suffering from extreme malnutrition. Some were emaciated, with one male Yorkshire Terrier weighing a mere 2.15 kilograms. The animals also exhibited health issues such as overgrown claws, gingivitis, periodontal disease, alopecia, and a testicular tumor in one male Yorkshire Terrier. Many had matted coats soaked in faeces, further evidence of the neglect they endured.

The vet’s report was unequivocal: the majority of these dogs were suffering due to the conditions in which they were kept. Dogs with a condition score of 2 or less were deemed to be suffering because they were too thin, while those with a score of 3 risked suffering if left in the same environment. The presence of periodontal disease caused additional pain and distress, and the report estimated that the dogs had been suffering for between four and twelve weeks prior to rescue.

Inspector Peeters expressed her deep sadness over the case, describing it as a heartbreaking example of neglect. She emphasized the overwhelming nature of the conditions and the distress caused to the animals, but also highlighted the relief that the dogs were now in the care of the RSPCA, receiving the love and attention they desperately needed.

Following the rescue, the dogs were taken into the care of the RSPCA branches in Brighton, Kent, and Surrey. They underwent rehabilitation and were eventually rehomed, giving them a second chance at life.

In the subsequent court proceedings, Christopher Bennett was sentenced to 18 weeks in jail and received an indefinite ban from keeping any animals. Gemma Brogan, a dance teacher who runs Gemma Brogan’s Dance Club for children, received a suspended 18-week prison sentence for 24 months, along with 100 hours of unpaid work, a 30-day rehabilitation requirement, and a total of £546.80 in costs and victim surcharge. Brogan was also handed a five-year ban on keeping any animals, which will expire in February 2027.

Further investigations revealed that the neglect extended beyond animals. In November 2022, it was reported that both Bennett and Brogan pleaded guilty to seven counts of child neglect and were sentenced to six years in prison. The court heard that the couple had squandered approximately £7,000 a month in benefits that should have been allocated to their seven children, aged between four and 17. The property, a three-bedroom house, was overcrowded with ten occupants and 35 dogs, creating an environment described by police as one of the most deplorable they had ever encountered.

Detective Constable Fiona Ashcroft of Sussex Police described the scene as shocking, with the house filled with clutter, discarded clothing, rotting food, and animal faeces. The stench was so overwhelming that officers struggled to breathe normally. During the raid, officers found a child sleeping on a sofa, dressed only in a soiled nappy, with dogs jumping over them. The children were immediately taken into emergency protection, and with the support of local authorities, they were rehoused and placed with caring families. The youngest children are now receiving the support they need to recover from the trauma of their environment.

This case remains a stark reminder of the importance of animal welfare and child protection, and the devastating consequences when neglect is allowed to persist unchecked in the community of Eastbourne.