RICHARD COYLE'S HORRIFIC CRUELTY IN CROSSKEYS: ANIMAL ABUSE REPEATED IN CAERPHILLY

Richard Coyle, a known repeat offender with a disturbing history of animal cruelty, was once again at the center of a gruesome incident in Crosskeys, Caerphilly. Born on July 13, 1996, and originally from Blackwood, Caerphilly, Coyle’s latest arrest underscores his long-standing pattern of violent and inhumane behavior towards animals.

On September 29, 2022, police officers executed a search warrant at a residence in the village of Crosskeys, Caerphilly. During the raid, they discovered a severely mutilated female hedgehog that was still alive but in a critical state. The animal was covered in blood and a strange white, creamy substance, indicating recent trauma and possible abuse. The hedgehog was found inside a wooden box placed on a bedside table, with a grievous wound to her stomach through which her intestines were protruding. She also suffered from a cut to her abdomen and injuries to three of her limbs, highlighting the brutality of the attack.

Remarkably, Coyle was found in bed at the scene, naked from the waist down, and was wearing prosthetic breasts. The police report detailed that he was lying amidst various bizarre items, including a cucumber, a vacuum pipe, a gas stove, women’s clothing, a shard of mirror, binoculars taped together, and two lit candles. This disturbing scene painted a picture of a person engaged in highly unusual and troubling behavior.

The injured hedgehog was promptly taken to a veterinarian, but due to the extent of her injuries, she was euthanized to prevent further suffering. Coyle was arrested at the scene and taken for questioning. During the interview, he chose not to comment on the allegations. Subsequently, he pleaded guilty to charges of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, cruelty to a wild mammal, and breaching a previous disqualification order.

This incident was not isolated. In November 2020, Coyle had previously been convicted and sentenced to 26 weeks in prison for torturing another hedgehog. In that case, police found a mutilated hedgehog covered in candle wax, with three limbs severed and a broken bone visible. During his arrest, Coyle made a disturbing statement to police, claiming, “It’s only a f* hedgehog, it has fleas,” and alleged that someone had thrown the animal into his tent in that condition. Further investigation revealed that the voice screaming “Help me” during the incident was Coyle himself, as he inflicted pain on the animal.

Adding to his criminal record, Coyle also has a conviction for manslaughter, indicating a history of violent and reckless behavior. His legal troubles and pattern of cruelty have drawn significant concern from authorities and animal welfare advocates alike.

In mitigation, William Bebb, representing Coyle, acknowledged his client’s recognition of the gravity of his actions. Bebb explained that Coyle had served in the military and was a former Welsh champion boxer. However, he also noted that Coyle had been diagnosed with PTSD stemming from his wartime experiences, which contributed to his substance abuse issues. Bebb emphasized that Coyle was aware he was likely to face an immediate custodial sentence.

Judge Rhys Rowlands delivered a stern verdict, condemning Coyle’s actions as “a deliberate and sadistic infliction of pain on a defenceless animal,” and described the cruelty as “appalling.” The judge remarked that the case was as severe as one could imagine and reflected a mirror image of Coyle’s previous offense. As a result, Coyle was sentenced to 18 months in prison and was issued a 20-year ban on owning or keeping any animals, a measure aimed at preventing further abuse.

This case has once again highlighted the ongoing issue of animal cruelty in the region and the importance of strict legal action to deter such heinous acts. The community and animal rights organizations continue to call for increased awareness and preventative measures to protect vulnerable creatures from individuals like Richard Coyle.