GRAHAM STEPHENS FROM BROMYARD SENTENCED FOR CRUELTY AT ANIMAL SANCTUARY IN HEREFORD AND KIDDERMINSTER

Graham Stephens, a resident of Bromyard, was found guilty in 2022 of severe animal cruelty offenses linked to his management of a rescue sanctuary. Born on July 30, 1960, Stephens, who lived on Broad Street in Hereford HR7 and maintained connections to Kidderminster, was responsible for the care of numerous animals kept in deplorable conditions. His role as co-owner of the registered charity Little Meadow Animal Rescue (LMAR), located in Stoke Bliss, Worcestershire, came under scrutiny after investigations revealed widespread neglect and mistreatment.

Stephens and his wife, Jayne Stephens, oversaw the sanctuary where a variety of animals, including owls, dogs, rabbits, donkeys, and other species, were housed. However, inspections and reports indicated that these animals were subjected to inhumane living conditions, with neglect extending to their basic health and welfare needs. The animals were confined in cramped, filthy cages covered in feces, often kept in close proximity to predators, which posed a significant risk to their safety and well-being.

Among the numerous violations, the court heard that Stephens failed to provide essential veterinary care, neglecting to treat dental issues, bacterial infections, and heavy lice infestations. Additionally, he did not supply adequate drinking water, further endangering the animals' health. The suffering inflicted was particularly evident in four grey donkeys suffering from laminitis and dental disease, an alpaca, a Chinese Crested dog, two rabbits, a guinea pig, a grey squirrel, and four tawny owls. These animals endured unnecessary pain and distress due to the neglect.

Prosecutor Lynda Myer, representing the RSPCA, highlighted that warnings had been issued to Stephens in 2020 regarding the mistreatment of dogs at the sanctuary. Despite these warnings, less than two years later, multiple complaints from the public prompted police and RSPCA officers to conduct a raid on the sanctuary. The authorities obtained a warrant and, during their visit, discovered the appalling conditions that led to Stephens' arrest. The prosecutor described the conditions as "appalling," emphasizing that the animals showed signs of significant stress caused by their confined and unsanitary environment. She also pointed out that Stephens had been entrusted with public funds to care for these animals, a responsibility he grossly neglected.

Defense attorney Sarah Brady acknowledged that Stephens had been suffering from depression and stress while managing the charity. She stated that Stephens had been running the sanctuary for 12 years and that in 2021, he should have sought help for his mental health issues. Brady expressed regret on his behalf, asserting that his actions were not deliberate acts of cruelty but rather the result of personal struggles. She also noted that Stephens admitted to six charges of causing unnecessary suffering to protected animals and two charges related to failing in his duty to ensure animal welfare.

In sentencing, Graham Stephens was sentenced to eight months in prison. Additionally, he received a lifetime ban from owning, keeping, or transporting animals in any capacity, with the earliest opportunity to appeal this ban set for 2033. He was released on conditional bail while appealing the custodial sentence. Following the sentencing, a witness who had observed Stephens' cruelty over many years shared her account on Facebook, describing the rescue operation where 44 animals were removed from the squalid conditions. She recounted the deplorable state of the animals, including donkeys with laminitis and overgrown hooves and teeth, and expressed her emotional distress upon witnessing the evidence.

The witness also criticized Stephens for portraying himself as a caring rescuer while neglecting the animals' suffering. She recounted her previous dealings with Stephens and his wife during his time running the Wyre Forest Animal Trust in Kidderminster, where she observed similar neglect. Despite numerous complaints to authorities and welfare organizations, no action was taken at the time, allowing the abuse to continue for years.

In October 2023, Stephens' appeal was heard at Hereford Crown Court but was withdrawn at the conclusion of the hearing. The original sentence from December 2022 was upheld, with an additional £750 in costs imposed. Stephens remains imprisoned for the next eight months, and his lifetime ban on animal ownership remains in effect, though it may be reviewed after ten years.