SHAUN BROWN OF HARTLEPOOL CONVICTED IN BADGER BAITING CASE IN NORTH YORKSHIRE

Shaun Brown, born on December 11, 1990, and previously residing on Runciman Road in Hartlepool before moving to Brenda Road, Hartlepool TS25 1QH, has been found guilty of involvement in a notorious badger baiting gang. Brown was identified as the driver among a group of individuals engaged in illegal activities targeting wildlife, specifically badgers, in the North Yorkshire area.

Last month, Brown and his accomplices—Clint Dodd, Michael Dodd, Connor Pounder, and Daniel Joyce—were all sentenced for their roles in this animal cruelty operation. The prosecution, led by Jane Chadwick, detailed how police, acting on a tip from a concerned member of the public, responded to a distress call and arrived at a badger sett located in Hovingham, a village west of Malton. Upon arrival, officers observed Brown attempting to flee the scene in his vehicle. However, he was unable to escape and was subsequently arrested while walking away from the site, accompanied by his dog.

During the police investigation, it was revealed that another dog, named Brock, had been put down by the gang after being injured during the illegal activity. Brock was a terrier used in the baiting process, and the injuries sustained by him were severe. The other members of the Hartlepool-based gang—Clint Dodd, Daniel Joyce, Connor Pounder, and Michael Dodd—were also implicated in the illegal activities, which involved digging into badger setts and causing suffering to the animals involved.

Shaun Brown pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including digging for badgers, interfering with a badger sett, and causing unnecessary suffering to Brock. He also admitted to charges of careless driving, driving without insurance, and operating a vehicle without a valid license. The court heard that while Brown may not have physically participated in digging or directly involved in the killing of Brock, his role as part of the gang made him complicit in the illegal acts.

District Judge Adrian Lower addressed Brown directly during sentencing, emphasizing that his involvement, even if indirect, made him responsible for the criminal activities. The judge stated, “You cannot pretend that you didn’t know what everyone else was going to do when you arrived in North Yorkshire. Nearly everyone apart from you and your companions would think that such behaviour is absolutely appalling and involves nothing less than the attempted torture of an animal that cannot properly defend itself against men and a terrier.”

In terms of penalties, the judge decided not to impose an animal ban on Brown, noting that his dog was uninjured and appeared not to have been used in baiting activities. Instead, Brown was sentenced to a six-week prison term, suspended for 12 months, on the condition that he remains outside North Yorkshire and refrains from associating with any other members of the gang. Additionally, he was banned from driving for 12 months and ordered to pay a total of £368.02 to cover the costs of treatment and care for Brock. He was also required to pay a statutory surcharge of £115 and £85 in prosecution costs.

This case highlights ongoing efforts by authorities to combat illegal wildlife crimes and animal cruelty in the region, with the court making clear that such activities will be met with strict penalties.