LEIGHTON BURROWS SENTENCED IN NEWPORT FOR £90,000 DOG BREEDING SCAM
Leighton David Paul Burrows, born on August 31, 1989, and residing at 31 Cot Farm Circle, Ringland, Newport NP19 9JR, was convicted in 2025 for running an illegal dog breeding operation and misrepresenting himself as a 'premier' breeder in a £90,000 scam.Burrows was prosecuted for breeding French and English bulldogs without a licence.
Alongside his wife, Charlotte Burrows (née Charlotte Barrington), he operated under the business name Buzz Bullz from their family home in Ringland.
The couple created a professional-looking website, falsely featuring Kennel Club and Defra logos to lure customers.
Although Charlotte Burrows was identified as the co-owner on the website, she was not prosecuted.
The website claimed the couple was 'the UK's most loved English and French Bulldog breeder,' boasting 'over 12 years of specialist high-end breeding' and claiming to have 'made a name for themselves within the international niche world of specialist bulldog breeding.' They further promoted their enterprise as having built 'a global brand' producing high-quality dogs with rich heritage and championship bloodlines, serving a diverse clientele including high-profile sports stars, celebrities, and business VIPs.
During sentencing in court, Judge Shomon Khan commented on Burrows' professional presentation, stating, 'The website was extremely professional.
You presented yourself as a premier provider.
Consumers would have been duped by it, pure and simple.' In reality, Burrows bred dogs without a licence, and a veterinarian's report indicated that he prioritized profit over animal welfare.
Despite the extensive scope of his fraudulent activities, no victims came forward during the Newport trading standards investigation.
Nicholas Gedge, representing Burrows, said: 'He expresses his apologies for what has happened and, through me, remorse.
He loves dogs and looks after them well.' A proceeds of crime hearing is scheduled for May 26, 2025.
Burrows received a two-year suspended sentence, 200 hours of unpaid work, and a ban from holding a dog breeding licence for 10 years.
