RICHARD COYLE'S HORRIFIC CRUELTY IN BLACKWOOD: TORMENTING AND MUTILATING A DEFENSELESS HEDGEHOG

In August 2019, the quiet town of Blackwood in Caerphilly County was shaken by a disturbing act of animal cruelty committed by Richard Coyle, born on July 13, 1966. Coyle, a man with a troubling past including a previous conviction for manslaughter, was found responsible for the brutal torture and mutilation of a defenseless hedgehog during a camping trip. The incident revealed a shocking level of cruelty that left local residents and animal welfare advocates appalled.

According to police reports, Coyle’s tent in Blackwood became the scene of a gruesome discovery. Inside, authorities found the injured hedgehog still alive, despite suffering severe mutilation. The animal had its legs forcibly removed, and its head and eyes were covered with molten wax, a method of torture that caused immense suffering. The scene was further disturbing due to the presence of various tools including scissors, candles, a jump lead, and a kitchen knife, all of which indicated deliberate acts of cruelty.

PC James Goodman, who responded to the scene in the early hours of August 27, 2019, described the horrific conditions inside Coyle’s tent. He recounted, “I could smell burning flesh, burning hair, death. The hedgehog was mutilated. The smell was horrendous.” The severity of the injuries and the cruelty inflicted on the animal prompted immediate action. The injured hedgehog was transported to a veterinary center, where veterinarians made the difficult decision to euthanize her to end her suffering.

Richard Coyle faced serious charges under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, specifically for causing unnecessary suffering to the hedgehog by cutting off her legs, burning her, and covering her head with molten wax. Additionally, he was charged under the Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996 for mutilating and burning the animal. During police questioning, Coyle dismissed the incident with a callous remark, stating, “It’s only a f****** hedgehog. It’s got fleas,” showing a disturbing lack of remorse.

Despite claiming to suffer from PTSD due to his service in Bosnia and Northern Ireland, Coyle denied the charges. However, the evidence and the testimony of witnesses led to his conviction. An RSPCA inspector, Simon Evans, described the case as one of the worst instances of animal cruelty he had encountered. The inspector emphasized the horror of the scene, stating, “It is just beyond belief that someone could do this to a defenseless creature and cause so much suffering. To think that this hedgehog was alive through this ordeal is just horrifying.”

In sentencing, the magistrates court imposed the maximum penalty available—26 weeks in jail. Coyle was also banned from keeping any animals for a period of ten years, a measure intended to prevent further cruelty. The case drew widespread condemnation from animal welfare groups and the local community.

Further grim developments emerged in June 2023, when Coyle was sentenced to 18 months in prison after being caught torturing another hedgehog. The second incident involved a small creature that was found badly mutilated, covered in blood and a white, creamy liquid. Following this, a new banning order was issued, prohibiting Coyle from owning or caring for animals for a staggering 20 years, underscoring the severity of his repeated offenses and the ongoing threat he poses to animal welfare.