A MAJOR RSPCA badger baiting trial has resulted in two men being sent to prison for their role in the “cruel and gruseome” treatment of animals in a Blaenau Ffestiniog farm.

Another man was handed a suspended custodial sentence and a youth recieved a referral order.

Sentencing took place on Monday at Llandudno Magistrates’ Court, after what has been described by the RSPCA as a “landmark” case.

Rare surveillance footage filmed by RSPCA officers from the charity’s Special Operations Unit, caught dogs being set on a badger on film, bringing to light the horrific realities of the cruel and barbaric ‘bloodsport’ of baiting.

The surveillance footage captured on 5 February 2017 showed the defendants David William Thomas, Jordan Alexander Houlston, Marc Wyn Morris and a 17-year-old youth, who cannot be named because of their age, as a badger was deliberately attacked by a pack of dogs.

Thomas, 55, of Cwm Bowydd farm, Blaenau Ffestiniog, was imprisoned immediately for 22 weeks, and placed under close supervision for a 12-month period.

He was told to pay costs of £5,000, and disqualified from keeping dogs for an eight-year period. He is reported to be the Master of the Dwyryd Hunt in north Wales – and has been a huntsman for 32 years, the court heard.

Houlston, 24, of Alexandra Road, Llandudno, was given an immediate prison sentence of 20 weeks, and also placed under close supervision for a one-year period. He was ordered to pay £600 in costs, a victim surcharge of £150, and disqualified from keeping all dogs for eight years.

Morris, 26, of Cwm Bowydd farm, Blaenau Ffestiniog, was given a 10-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months; and disqualified from keeping dogs for a four-year period. He was also ordered to do 150 hours of unpaid work, and told to pay £500 in costs and a £150 surcharge.

A 17-year-old youth was also handed a 10-month referral order, a four-year ban on keeping dogs and told to pay £200 in costs and a £20 surcharge.

Chief inspector Ian Briggs, from the RSPCA’s special operations unit, said: “This was a major and landmark investigation, in which the RSPCA caught a number of individuals red-handed in the act of using their dogs to barbarically fight with a badger.

“Footage of this nature is extremely rare, but lays bare the sickening nature of this cruel and gruesome activity.

“Badger baiting has been illegal for over 180 years, and it is sickening to find people still seeking to spend their time inflicting pain, suffering and misery on animals in this way.

“This was coordinated and carefully planned cruelty, involving dogs, badgers and foxes.

“Sadly, badger digging remains a serious problem in our countryside.

“The RSPCA will not relent in bringing those involved in this cruel activity to justice, as demonstrated with this investigation, for which we’d like to thank North Wales Police for their support.

“This prosecution will be a warning to anyone involved in badger baiting activity.

“If caught, the RSPCA will act, and will seek justice for the animals involved.

“Put simply, there is no room for this disgusting activity.”