TEESSIDE BADGER BAITERS MARCUS CROSBY, THOMAS ‘TJ’ TYERS, LIAM PARKINSON AND BROGAN SMITHSON CONVICTED OF CRUELTY IN NORTH YORKSHIRE
| Red Rose Database
Teesside Badger Baiters Animal Abuser
Four individuals associated with the notorious Teesside Badger Baiters have been found guilty of heinous animal cruelty crimes involving the brutal killing of a badger. Marcus Crosby, born on September 13, 1999, and residing at Laburnum Grove, High Clarence, Middlesbrough TS2 1SU, along with Thomas ‘TJ’ Tyers, born on January 3, 2004, of 2 Sidlaw Road, Billingham TS23 2ER, Liam Parkinson, born circa 1998 of 6 Victoria Terrace, Port Clarence, Middlesbrough TS2 1SR, and Brogan Smithson, born around 2006 with no fixed address currently in Stockton-on-Tees, all pleaded guilty to charges related to the ill-treatment and unnecessary suffering inflicted upon a protected animal, specifically a badger.
According to court proceedings, these four men, known for their association with the Teesside Badger Baiters, traveled to a remote area on the North Yorkshire moors in a Jeep Cherokee during the early hours of May 12, 2023. Their intent was reportedly to engage in illegal animal baiting activities. The group was found in a secluded spot, where they had brought along a pitbull-type dog and a lurcher, both of which were confiscated by police following the incident.
The tragic event unfolded when members of the public, disturbed by the sounds of distress, alerted the police. Responding officers quickly located the group as they were inspecting the area under bushes, where the pitbull was actively attacking the badger. Witnesses reported that the badger was squealing in pain as it was savagely mauled, and footage captured by one of the men showed the brutal scene. The badger ultimately succumbed to its injuries, dying at the scene.
As police arrived, the group dispersed rapidly, heading towards their vehicle. The authorities managed to recover both dogs involved in the attack, which were later examined and confiscated. Christopher Marley, representing the defendants, clarified that the owner of the pitbull was not among those in court, and that Liam Parkinson owned the lurcher. Marley also stated that the group had traveled to North Yorkshire with the intention of hunting rabbits, but the pitbull had unexpectedly jumped out of a vehicle window and attacked the badger. However, the judge expressed skepticism about this explanation, describing the rabbit story as “difficult to believe.”
Marley further explained that Parkinson was employed in Newcastle and relied on his driving license for daily commuting, while Smithson was reportedly suffering from mental health issues that had led to him being sectioned under the Mental Health Act. His role in the incident was considered “perhaps peripheral,” as he was primarily filming the attack.
During sentencing, District Judge Adrian Lower emphasized the collective responsibility of the group. He stated, “Some of you played greater roles, some of you played lesser roles but you were all in this together. You all knew what was going on and you all took part in this.” The judge highlighted the impact of the badger’s death on the local ecosystem, noting that it could have affected other badgers, especially if she had cubs.
The court handed down a 12-month community order to the group. Crosby, Tyers, and Parkinson were each sentenced to 150 hours of unpaid work. Smithson received a £200 fine. Additionally, all four individuals were ordered to pay a statutory surcharge of £114 and prosecution costs of £85. They are also banned from entering North Yorkshire for 12 months, with 12-month driving bans imposed. Furthermore, each of them is prohibited from owning or keeping dogs for five years, with the ban set to expire in October 2029.
According to court proceedings, these four men, known for their association with the Teesside Badger Baiters, traveled to a remote area on the North Yorkshire moors in a Jeep Cherokee during the early hours of May 12, 2023. Their intent was reportedly to engage in illegal animal baiting activities. The group was found in a secluded spot, where they had brought along a pitbull-type dog and a lurcher, both of which were confiscated by police following the incident.
The tragic event unfolded when members of the public, disturbed by the sounds of distress, alerted the police. Responding officers quickly located the group as they were inspecting the area under bushes, where the pitbull was actively attacking the badger. Witnesses reported that the badger was squealing in pain as it was savagely mauled, and footage captured by one of the men showed the brutal scene. The badger ultimately succumbed to its injuries, dying at the scene.
As police arrived, the group dispersed rapidly, heading towards their vehicle. The authorities managed to recover both dogs involved in the attack, which were later examined and confiscated. Christopher Marley, representing the defendants, clarified that the owner of the pitbull was not among those in court, and that Liam Parkinson owned the lurcher. Marley also stated that the group had traveled to North Yorkshire with the intention of hunting rabbits, but the pitbull had unexpectedly jumped out of a vehicle window and attacked the badger. However, the judge expressed skepticism about this explanation, describing the rabbit story as “difficult to believe.”
Marley further explained that Parkinson was employed in Newcastle and relied on his driving license for daily commuting, while Smithson was reportedly suffering from mental health issues that had led to him being sectioned under the Mental Health Act. His role in the incident was considered “perhaps peripheral,” as he was primarily filming the attack.
During sentencing, District Judge Adrian Lower emphasized the collective responsibility of the group. He stated, “Some of you played greater roles, some of you played lesser roles but you were all in this together. You all knew what was going on and you all took part in this.” The judge highlighted the impact of the badger’s death on the local ecosystem, noting that it could have affected other badgers, especially if she had cubs.
The court handed down a 12-month community order to the group. Crosby, Tyers, and Parkinson were each sentenced to 150 hours of unpaid work. Smithson received a £200 fine. Additionally, all four individuals were ordered to pay a statutory surcharge of £114 and prosecution costs of £85. They are also banned from entering North Yorkshire for 12 months, with 12-month driving bans imposed. Furthermore, each of them is prohibited from owning or keeping dogs for five years, with the ban set to expire in October 2029.