Scunthorpe man jailed after admitting cockfighting offences

A man has been jailed after he admitted cockfighting and causing animal suffering.

Julian Buxton, 60, of Queens Crescent, Keadby, Scunthorpe, had previously pleaded guilty to 14 animal-related offences, including 10 offences relating to animal welfare and causing unnecessary suffering.

He was sentenced to 20 months in prison at Sheffield Crown Court on 5 January and banned from keeping animals for 15 years.

Will Mitchell, from the RSPCA’s special operations unit, said: “This case sadly highlights that, despite being outlawed almost 200 years, cockfighting still takes place today.”

The other four offences related to animal fighting including that Buxton kept a premises for use for animal fights, kept or trained an animal for use in connection with a fight, and caused or attempted to cause an animal fight to take place.

He was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £156 and an order was made for all animals in his possession to be rehomed.

The RSPCA and Humberside Police found 361 birds along with many other animals when they searched the property in September 2023.

One of the RSPCA inspectors said the vets identified a number of issues with the animals and examined them individually.

The inspector added the site was covered in “rubbish and hazards such as wood, metal and wire”.

The charity said animals including dogs, cats, rabbits, pigeons and chickens were removed from the location and rehomed.

In mitigation, the court heard Buxton had suffered bereavement around the time he committed the offences.

Mitchell added: “This case involved a large number of animals who needed our help along with a lot of evidence.

“It is lovely that loving homes have been found for them, including the puppies and rabbits that were also born following the initial rescue.”

Sgt Kieran Taylor, formerly of Humberside Police’s rural task force, said: “We will not tolerate the barbaric act of cockfighting, which causes unimaginable suffering to animals.

“This is a serious organised crime, and we remain committed to identifying, disrupting and prosecuting those involved.”