Jail term for breaching Court Order imposed after multiple animal welfare convictions

Sean Burns of Rose Hill Lodge, Bramble Hall, Ferry Lane, Pembroke Dock, appeared in Court on Thursday March 2nd and was sentenced to eight months in prison.

Burns was convicted for breaching an earlier Order, made under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, which disqualified him from having any involvement or influence over the care or welfare of animals.

The Order, which amounted to an indefinite ban, was imposed in February 2020.

Burns was convicted of running an illegal dog breeding operation and 13 animal welfare charges.  A 20-week prison term was also handed down at that time.

In September 2020 Burns further received a suspended prison sentence from Swansea Crown Court, alongside two other men, for his part in the illegal production of smokies at the farm.

In February 2022, animal health officers and a dog warden from Pembrokeshire County Council, supported by Dyfed-Powys Police officers, executed a further warrant at the premises where Sean Burns was in residence.

Officers found 12 dogs, two lovebirds and a tortoise on the premises, contrary to the disqualification in place. These led to further charges being laid by the Council and the most recent conviction.

Prosecuting, Christian Jowett represented the Council at the sentencing before HHJ P. Thomas KC at Swansea Crown Court.

His Honour Judge Thomas outlined Burns’ past offending as an aggravating feature to the breach, with animal welfare convictions dating back to 2018.

Burns was sentenced concurrently for all offences, three breaches of his disqualification order, and given eight monthsin total (four months in prison and four months on licence).

In addition The Crown Court also made its own disqualification order in that Burns be disqualified for life under section 34(2) Animal Welfare Act 2006.

This banned Burns from owning or keeping animals, from participating in the keeping of animals, and from being party to an arrangement under which he is entitled to control or influence the way in which animals are kept.

Burns will not be permitted to apply to lift the disqualification for a period of 10 years.

The animals removed from Bramble Hall were taken to a rescue centre and given the care and veterinary treatment required.

The Council would like to thank Greenacres Animal rescue for their support and continued care of the animals. Following a period of rehabilitation, these animals will be placed in suitable homes by the rescue centre.

Cllr Michelle Bateman, Cabinet Member for Housing Operations and Regulatory Services, said: “I wish to commend the work of officers involved in bringing the matter before the Courts once again and the support of the police and other organisations, without which this action would not have been possible.

“However, I find it both remarkable and disappointing that this individual has repeatedly displayed so much neglect for the welfare of animals and disregard towards the authority of the Court.

“We are pleased that this has been fully recognised by the Court in issuing this latest custodial sentence.”

Pictured are dogs discovered by Council Officers at the Bramble Hall site in February 2022. Sean Burns was banned from keeping animals at the time.