Little Meadow Animal Rescue owner appeals his jail sentence

But Graham Stephens, the owner of registered charity Little Meadow Animal Rescue, has walked free from court as he launched an instant appeal against his jail sentence. 

As previously reported owls, dogs, rabbits and donkeys were among the animals kept in cramped conditions and not given suitable drinking water at the Tenbury Wells sanctuary. 

After the horrendous conditions came to light Stephens, of Broad Street, Bromyard, was arrested and charged, the RSPCA launching a prosecution against him. 

At Worcester Magistrates Court on November 18 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). 

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

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.

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.

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. 

JAILED: Graham Stephens was jailed at Worcester Magistrates Court

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

"He was entrusted with money from the public to look after these animals."

Stephens returned to the court for sentencing on Friday, December 9. 

Magistrates jailed him for eight months as they found the offences so serious "because of the harm to animals and the number of animals involved".

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Stephens was also banned from owning, keeping or transporting animals in any way, for life. He was told the earliest he could appeal that ban is 2023.

At the end of the hearing Stephens launched an instant appeal to his jail sentence.

He was released on conditional bail, among the conditions being he lives and sleeps at his home address. A date for his appeal is yet to be set. 

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