SAM STANILAND SENTENCED IN SOUTHWOLD FOR WILDLIFE CRIMES IN ESSEX AND NORTHAMPTONSHIRE

Serial wildlife offender Sam Staniland, born on August 20, 1987, has received a suspended prison sentence following a series of animal welfare crimes. Previously residing at Kennels House in Layham near Hadleigh, Suffolk, and more recently at Dorchester Drive in Towcester, Northamptonshire, Staniland was found to have set dogs on foxes and badgers for sadistic pleasure.

Judge Matthew Bone described Staniland as 'depraved,' noting his 'frankly sadistic behaviour' during sentencing. Despite this, Staniland was handed a relatively lenient penalty, which included a 26-week prison sentence suspended for 18 months, 150 hours of unpaid work, and a fine. He is also barred from keeping dogs for five years, until April 2030.

The court found injuries on Staniland’s dogs—Scandal, Roxy, and Spud—consistent with forced fighting involving foxes and badgers. His dogs suffered injuries such as missing teeth and traumatic wounds, indicating violent encounters. Staniland also targeted foxes and badgers using lurchers, Patterdale terriers, and a foxhound.

Staniland’s criminal history includes a previous conviction under the Hunting Act from his time with the Meynell & South Staffordshire Hunt. However, Suffolk & Essex Hunt Sabs reported that the court considered his past offences irrelevant to his current case.

He was arrested on April 20, 2023, at his Hadleigh home. During the arrest, remnants of a fox, including its head and skin, were recovered from a bin. The dogs were taken to a veterinarian, who noted Spud had missing teeth from a serious fight, and Scandal had a traumatic injury to her lip and ear.

Evidence from Staniland’s seized phone included videos of animal cruelty, such as a fox fighting a dog near a storm drain in St Osyth, Essex, and footage of him shining a torch on two lurchers attacking a badger in the dark. A photograph also showed five men posing with a fox in a hole.

Sergeant Brian Calver of Suffolk Police highlighted the importance of the investigation, stating, “This case has highlighted the benefits of partnership working. I’m incredibly grateful for the expertise of the RSPCA’s Special Operations Unit, and the diligence they’ve shown in bringing this matter to court. This investigation uncovered some very unpleasant animal cruelty to both wildlife and the dogs used by Staniland, whilst he was employed as a professional huntsman. I hope today’s result acts as a deterrent to others that may consider carrying out such acts.”

Reaction to the light sentence from the South Suffolk Hunt Sabs included disappointment. A spokesperson commented, “Serial wildlife criminal Sam Staniland escapes real justice again. Although the judge increased the suggested tariff by the CPS to Staniland’s suspended sentence, we’re disappointed that his previous hunting act conviction wasn’t deemed relevant, and the wildlife suffering was ignored. The penalty doesn’t fit the crime, and Staniland is a repeat offender. Even Staniland himself brought a prison bag to court, indicating he was prepared to go to jail.”

The Essex & Suffolk Hunt, which employed Staniland after he was dismissed from his previous hunt, the Meynell & South Staffordshire Hunt, is criticized for its record of wildlife and animal abuse. Notably, the hunt’s current huntsman John Henty appeared earlier this year for hunting offences, and former Whipper-in Oli Thompson was exposed in 2023 for baiting a fox cub.

Legal experts suggest that ongoing animal cruelty cases reveal a failure of the law as a deterrent, as many offenders continue their activities with minimal consequences.

Staniland, linked to Sudbury and Derbyshire, also worked for a hunting organization in Ireland. He is in a long-term relationship with Shelbie McCulloch, a campaigner for the repeal of the Hunting Act who is also a trail hunter. His family includes parents Frank and Ann Staniland of Brook House Farm, Cleobury Mortimer, Kidderminster, and sister Katie, owner of Three Counties Horse Transport.

The Essex & Sussex Hunt, based at Manor Farm in Semer, Suffolk, continues to be associated with individuals involved in such wildlife crimes.