AN animal sanctuary boss from Herefordshire is facing jail for keeping animals in horrendous conditions. 

Worcester magistrates heard owls, dogs, rabbits and donkeys were among the animals kept in cramped conditions and not given suitable drinking water at Little Meadow Animal Rescue.

The registered charity, owned by Graham Stephens, of Broad Street, Bromyard, had accepted donations from the public to look after the rescue animals, but Stephens was arrested and charged after the true horror of what was really going on at the Tenbury Wells sanctuary was finally revealed. 

Hereford Times: ANIMAL CRUELTY: Graham Stephens, owner of Little Meadow Animal Rescue, is facing jailANIMAL CRUELTY: Graham Stephens, owner of Little Meadow Animal Rescue, is facing jail (Image: Sam Greenway/Newsquest)

Stephens admitted six charges of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and two charges of failing the duty of a person responsible for an animal to ensure welfare when he appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court on Friday, (November 18). 

The court heard that unnecessary suffering was caused to four grey donkeys, an alpaca, a Chinese Crested dog, two rabbits, a guinea pig, a grey squirrel and four tawny owls at the Stoke Bliss-based sanctuary between January 17 and March 17 this year.

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The mistreatment to the animals included failing to provide dental treatment, failing to address heavy lice infestation, failing to provide treatment for bacterial infection, failing to provide veterinary treatment for the eye condition and dental disease and failure to provide drinking water. 

The animals were kept in filthy, faeces-covered cages with animals kept close to predators when they should have been kept apart.

Prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, Lynda Myer said warnings had been given to Stephens in 2020 about the mistreatment of dogs but less than two years later there had been "multiple complaints" from the public to the police about conditions at the sanctuary.

Hereford Times: OWNER: Graham Stephens, owner of Little Meadow Animal Rescue, leaving Worcester Magistrates CourtOWNER: Graham Stephens, owner of Little Meadow Animal Rescue, leaving Worcester Magistrates Court (Image: Sam Greenway/Newsquest)

Police, accompanied by the RSCPA, acted on a warrant and visited the sanctuary, leading to the 62-year-old's arrest.

"The conditions were appalling," the prosecutor said. 

"There were signs significant stress was caused to the animals living in a small area.

 

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"There was a potential breach of trust - he was entrusted with money from the public to look after these animals."

As magistrates heard from the prosecutor Stephens sat with his head in his hands.

Sarah Brady, defending, said Stephens had been suffering from depression and stress while trying to run the charity. 

"He has run the charity for 12 years," Mrs Brady said.

"In 2021 he should have sought help. 

Hereford Times: COURT: Graham Stephens will learn his fate when he is sentenced at Worcester Magistrates Court next monthCOURT: Graham Stephens will learn his fate when he is sentenced at Worcester Magistrates Court next month

"He didn't because of what was going on in his personal life. 

"He regrets that now."

The solicitor added it was not a case where the defendant had deliberately mistreated animals. 

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After a short deliberation chairman of the magistrates' bench, Simon Freebairn, said they had decided magistrates' powers were sufficient for the case not to be sent to the higher court for sentence. 

Ordering a pre-sentence report he warned Stephens, custody was a possibility in his case.

Stephens, who was given unconditional bail, was told to return to the court on Friday, December 9, for sentencing.

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