GAINSBOROUGH BADGER BAITERS MURPHY THORNE AND DALE SHIELDS FACE COURT OVER CRUELTY INCIDENT NEAR BECKINGHAM

Murphy Thorne and Dale Shields, two men from Gainsborough, found themselves in serious legal trouble after they pleaded guilty to charges related to illegal badger baiting activities. The incident took place near Beckingham, Nottinghamshire, and the men appeared before Mansfield Magistrates’ Court to answer for their actions.

According to court records, the authorities were alerted to suspicious activity on land close to Beckingham on Sunday, April 7, 2019, at approximately 3 pm. A gamekeeper, who was patrolling the area, observed three individuals behaving suspiciously. The gamekeeper’s suspicions were confirmed when he saw them engaging in what appeared to be badger baiting—a brutal practice where dogs are used to hunt and attack badgers, often resulting in severe injuries or death.

Acting swiftly, the gamekeeper contacted the police, who responded promptly and arrested Murphy Thorne and Dale Shields near the scene. During police questioning, Thorne openly admitted to participating in the activity, stating, “I don’t get paid for doing it, but do it as a sport and it is something I enjoy.”

Evidence collected at the scene included a six-foot-deep hole dug into a badger sett, with both men found in possession of spades and a net, tools commonly used to disturb and capture badgers. Additionally, police seized two dogs from the suspects, both of which were wearing radio collars—devices used by handlers to track their movements underground. The dogs had sustained facial and dental injuries, and one was found in a collapsed state due to exhaustion. The injuries indicated they had been involved in a fight, likely with a badger or another animal of similar size.

The police also took the dogs to a nearby veterinary clinic in Retford for treatment. The RSPCA was notified of the incident, and inspector Keith Ellis launched an investigation. An expert witness confirmed that the badger sett was active and had been disturbed, although no dead badger was recovered at the scene. Inspector Ellis noted that it was possible the badger had died inside the sett, which was now compromised.

Veterinary assessments of the dogs supported the injuries being consistent with a fight involving animals of similar stature. The investigation revealed that the dogs were used to locate badgers underground, with their handlers digging down to attack or kill the animals. The court heard that the men’s actions had caused significant disturbance to the wildlife and involved illegal and inhumane practices.

In addition to Murphy Thorne and Dale Shields, a third man was also arrested on the same day but denied the charges. His trial is scheduled for a later date. The court ordered the forfeiture of the seized dogs, which the RSPCA will re-home to ensure their safety and well-being.

Sentencing for Thorne and Shields included an 18-week jail term, suspended for 12 months, along with orders to pay costs and charges totaling £415. Furthermore, both men received a five-year ban on keeping dogs, which will remain in effect until September 2024. The case highlights ongoing efforts to combat illegal badger baiting and animal cruelty in the Gainsborough area and beyond.