Animal fights trial told of dogs at Telford home

Hannah Bryer had attended the home of Samuel Boylett and said that there had been photo and video footage on a mobile phone and laptop which were also seized.

Giving evidence, she said that she had looked at the digital material and found pictures of the defendants and some of the dogs discovered at Samuel Boylett's home.

She also identified dogs in certain images shown to Telford Magistrates Court yesterday which she said had been at the property on the day she visited.

Samuel Boylett, 33, his father Charles Boylett, 69, both of Burtondale, in Brookside, Telford, and Mark Paddock, 45, of no fixed address, are standing trial accused of a string of charges alleging that dogs were encouraged to fight wild animals in the town.

The court previously heard that a number of dogs were seized by police from Samuel Boylett's home on March 28, 2014.

Mr Paul Taylor, prosecuting, previously said that some of the photos and text messages found on a phone belonging to Samuel Boylett had revealed evidence of earlier involvement with animal fighting.

Ms Bryer also told the court she had seen a treadmill at the home which looked like it had been modified for a dog to use.

She said inquiries led to her contacting Paddock and he agreed to meet voluntarily to be interviewed.

Samuel Boylett denies 14 different charges. They include charges of causing or attempting to cause an animal fight to take place on June 3, 2013, and March 2, 9 and 23, 2014.

He denies six counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.

Paddock denies three counts of causing or attempting to cause an animal fight and another of causing unnecessary suffering.

Charles Boylett and Paddock deny three charges of being present at animal fights in 2014, while Samuel Boylett denies four charges of being present at animal fights in 2013 and 2014.

The trial continues.