Men sentenced after 'cockerel treadmill' found

Two men who were involved in illegal cockfighting, in which cockerels were being trained on treadmills, have been sentenced.

Hugh Steele, 53, and Douglas Price, 34, both of Poplar Meadow, Sleaford Road, Beckingham, Lincolnshire, were found by officers to have dozens of cockerels, hens and chicks in enclosures along with cockfighting items during a search of their premises in May 2024.

The RSPCA said its investigation also found two dead chicks at the site and there was "little or no food or water" for the remaining animals, which were "kept in dark, cramped and dirty pens".

Both men were handed ten-week jail terms suspended by 12 months at Lincoln Magistrates' Court.

The RSPCA's Special Operations Unit (SOU) also dismantled two fighting pits and seized several vehicles.

During the raid, investigators had found a "cockerel treadmill", a spokesperson said.

"This was cylindrical and in the shape of a ferris wheel," said one unnamed officer.

"It is an item I recognise [that was] used to condition and train cockerels to increase their fitness and stamina."

Steele admitted three offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 including being present at a cock fight, failing to get veterinary treatment for a bird's wounds and failing to treat several others for mites.

Price admitted two offences under the same act which were keeping cockerels for the purpose of fighting and failing to provide adequate food for birds or investigate their poor condition.

Both men were also ordered to each pay £1,000 costs and carry out 150 hours unpaid work when they were sentenced on 11 March.

Steele was banned from keeping chickens, cockerels and wild birds for life and Price was disqualified from keeping them for a minimum of one year. However, he can apply to terminate the order in 12 month's time.

A spokesperson for the SOU said: "All of these birds suffered because of the unsuitable conditions they were kept in and the purpose they were being kept for.

"It is a relief we were able to take them away from that and get them the kind of care, medical treatment, food and water they should have been provided with.

PC James Knychala,  rural, wildlife and heritage crime officer for Lincolnshire Police, said: "Ultimately, the result means serious disruption to the underworld of cock fighting which we believe will be felt across the country.

"It's illegal and barbaric and has no place in our society."

Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.