SAM NEWTON CONVICTED IN SCARBOROUGH FOR ABANDONING ROYAL PYTHONS DURING COST OF LIVING CRISIS

Samuel Thomas Newton, born on 26 February 1997 and residing on Hampton Road, Scarborough YO12 5PX, was convicted in 2022 after abandoning three Royal Pythons in a bin outside a school in Scarborough.

Newton admitted to dumping the snakes and attributed his actions to the rising costs of food and heating. On 29 June 2022, he placed the non-venomous snakes into a carrier bag and disposed of them in a public litter bin on Sandybed Lane.

He explained that the ongoing cost of living crisis led him to abandon the animals. Later that same day, two of the pythons were rescued after being spotted by a member of the public, while the third was found in nearby grass the following day.

Newton was identified as the owner following a social media appeal. Initially, he denied dumping the snakes, claiming they had been rehomed, but police confirmed he had not attempted to rehome them and showed no regard for their welfare.

The abandoned snakes were rescued and successfully rehomed. PC Graham Bilton described the case as an ''extremely concerning'' incident, stating: "The actions of Newton were wholly irresponsible and illegal, and on his own admission were 'disgusting.'"

Geoff Edmond from the RSPCA expressed concern over the rising costs forcing pet owners to give up their animals, noting: "The charity fears more people will have to surrender their pets due to the increasing financial pressures."

As part of his sentencing, Newton was ordered to pay a total of £623 in fines, costs, and surcharge. He was also given a seven-year ban on owning reptiles, which will expire in August 2029.