JOSHUA VAREY AND HOWARD LEWIN: HORRIFIC ANIMAL CRUELTY IN COLNE REVEALED

In a disturbing series of events that have shocked the community of Colne, Lancashire, authorities have uncovered a pattern of severe animal cruelty involving multiple offenders, including Joshua Varey, Shaun Mullens, Paul Ashworth, and Howard Lewin. These individuals engaged in heinous acts of violence and abuse against animals, with their actions captured on video and discovered during police raids.

Joshua Varey, born on February 26, 1990, and residing on Duke Street in Colne, was at the center of these investigations. He, along with accomplices Shaun Mullens and Paul Ashworth, was recorded laughing as they set their dogs upon terrified animals, including cats and badgers, in a series of barbaric acts. One particularly disturbing incident involved Mullens and Ashworth attempting to shake a cat out of a tree so that their dogs could attack it, a scene filmed by Varey himself. The footage showed the animals in distress, with one voice in the recording stating, “It’s dead,” as a badly injured badger crawled away from a vicious attack.

These acts of cruelty were part of a broader pattern of illegal activities, including badger baiting, deer poaching, hare coursing, and violations of the Dangerous Dogs Act. Police and RSPCA officers seized multiple animals, including three lurchers, two terriers, and a lurcher/bull terrier cross, along with computers, mobile phones, cash, and equipment related to drugs during dawn raids at eleven homes across Pendle in the summer of 2013. The investigation was the culmination of a 12-month effort to gather evidence against those involved in illegal wildlife and animal fighting activities.

Further details revealed that in October 2013, six cats were killed over three days in attacks attributed to lurchers in Colne. Police described these incidents as “cat coursing,” where dogs are trained to kill domestic pets before being used for poaching or badger baiting. Varey, who was known for buying, selling, and breeding dogs for fighting, was found to have injured and scarred animals kept outside his home. Authorities discovered videos and photographs on his phones depicting animal baiting, scarred dogs, bloodied animals, and messages referencing “doing holes,” “going out with the terriers,” and “going digging,” which are all indicative of illegal hunting and fighting activities.

During police interviews, Varey did not deny his involvement in the filming but chose not to comment further. Mullens admitted that the dog seen attacking the badger was indeed his. The court was shown DVD footage where Varey was heard laughing as animals in distress were attacked, highlighting the callousness of their actions. Magistrates sentenced Varey to 126 days in jail and banned him from keeping pets for ten years, a ban set to expire in July 2024. Mullens received a sentence of 114 days and a similar ten-year pet ban. Ashworth was sentenced to 76 days in custody and banned from keeping animals for five years, until July 2019.

In a further development in February 2018, Varey was charged alongside Howard Bernard Lewin, born on December 20, 1967, of 6 Dickson Street, Colne, with additional animal cruelty offences. Lewin, also involved in wildlife crimes, pleaded guilty to being present at an animal fight and causing unnecessary suffering to a ferret and a rat. Varey faced an extra charge for breaching his previous disqualification order after two dogs were found at his residence. The investigation was prompted by a disturbing video posted on Varey’s Facebook page, showing a ferret and a rat being encouraged to fight in a hutch, with the men shouting and shaking the enclosure to provoke the animals.

Special RSPCA investigator Jason Bowles described the video as “disgusting,” emphasizing that the men were actively encouraging the animals to fight. Although the ferret and rat were not located afterward, the investigation confirmed the cruelty involved. Varey’s prior conviction for animal fighting in 2014 resulted in a ten-year disqualification from keeping animals, which remains in effect. Despite this, authorities found two dogs at his property, including one named Nell, which was seized and placed into RSPCA care.

Law enforcement officials, including Lancashire Constabulary’s Sgt Damian Pemberton, expressed their commitment to ending animal cruelty. Pemberton stated, “This sentence is a testament to the hard work of our rural officers who are committed to putting an end to the unnecessary suffering of animals. Those who mistreat animals and take part in these types of cruel activities will be tracked down and brought to justice.” Varey, a known animal abuser with previous convictions, was sentenced to a 16-week jail term, suspended for two years, along with 100 hours of unpaid work and a £250 fine. He was also disqualified from keeping all animals for 15 years, until March 2033. Lewin received a 12-month community order with a rehabilitation requirement, reflecting the ongoing efforts to rehabilitate offenders and prevent future cruelty.

These cases underscore the ongoing battle against illegal wildlife activities and animal cruelty in Colne and the surrounding areas. Authorities remain vigilant, emphasizing that cruelty in any form will be met with strict legal consequences, and they continue to work tirelessly to protect vulnerable animals from such barbaric treatment.