TWO men have been jailed for animal cruelty offences. 

Following an investigation by Dorset Police's Rural Crime Team, with support from colleagues in Hampshire, the two men were sentenced at Southhampton Crown Court today (January 19). 

Kristen Cooper, aged 24, of Bransgore in Hampshire, received a prison sentence of five years after admitting seven offences of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.

The charges followed a warrant executed at the defendant’s address on Monday, October 3 2022, when officers seized the defendant’s phone. They found several videos showing the defendants causing unnecessary suffering to animals, mainly in rural areas at night.

The videos showed Cooper causing suffering to an injured deer and hares, and in some cases, encouraging dogs to attack them. There were also videos showing injured wildlife, suggesting they had been mutilated. 

The videos were reviewed by an expert as part of the prosecution process, who described them as some of the worst cases of animal abuse he had seen in 24 years.

Angharad Thomas, CPS Wessex Wildlife Lead, said: “This was a shocking case, involving unimaginable violence and cruelty to animals on a level that I have, thankfully, rarely seen before.

“Working closely with the Rural Crime Team throughout, we were able to make sure we had all the evidence we needed for a strong prosecution case, ensuring that these defendants faced justice for their cruelty and absolute disregard for protected animals.”

Cooper also admitted to handling stolen goods, relating to equipment that had been taken from farms in East Dorset. 

He also entered further guilty pleas to two charges of criminal damage and the offence of intentionally encouraging or assisting the commission of a criminal offence. This related to an incident where a vehicle was driven deliberately at a police car and a further two cars in Christchurch Road in Bournemouth in December 2021.

He was also sentenced for using a motor vehicle on a road or public place without third party insurance and driving a vehicle otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

Co-defendant Todd Cooper, aged 29 of Sway in Hampshire, was sentenced to three years and eight months in prison after admitting an animal cruelty offence. 

The offence involved him and Kristen Cooper holding down a deer while Todd struck it over the head with a blunt object. 

Police Constable Sebastian Haggett, of Dorset Police’s Rural Crime Team, said: “Kristen and Todd Cooper have today been sentenced following a proactive investigation led by Dorset Police’s Rural Crime Team and assisted by colleagues from Hampshire.

“This investigation has uncovered a large number of offences which targeted both our rural communities and wildlife. Cooper repeatedly subjected animals to horrific levels of pain and suffering, seemingly for his own and others’ amusement. These are without doubt some of the most horrifying offences I have ever investigated.

“We will continue to work with our partner forces and the Crown Prosecution Service to ensure offenders are held to account.”

Both Kristen and Todd Cooper were also sentenced for assault and weapons offences committed in the New Forest area in Hampshire in March 2023.

Additionally, Kristen Cooper was made the subject of a ten-year Criminal Behaviour Order which includes conditions preventing him from being in possession of a catapult and from being on agricultural or farmland between the hours of 12am and 6am. He was also banned from owning a dog for ten years.

Inspector Darren Ord, from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, added: “This was a lengthy investigation which has showcased excellent partnership working between Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Constabulary and Dorset Police.

“These horrific crimes have caused a great deal of harm and suffering, and we are pleased that these crimes have been recognised with this sentencing and the offenders have been brought to justice.

“We take reports of rural crime extremely seriously and our officers will continue to work with partners to show criminals that offences of this kind will not be tolerated in Hampshire, or across our borders.”

Another defendant, Leo Shields, 26, from Bournemouth, was previously sentenced at Poole Magistrates Court on Thursday, February 16 2023, for three counts of criminal damage (one involved ramming a police car). 

He was sentenced to a community order for a period of 18 months with a requirement to carry out 60 hours of unpaid work in the community as well as a rehabilitation activity requirement. Shields was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a victim surcharge of £95.

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick said: “I’d like to thank every officer and partner agency involved in this investigation. To bring such a prolific offender to justice is very reassuring.

"Kristen Cooper has committed deplorable and sickening acts of cruelty as well as offences that strike at the heart of our rural community and I am pleased to see that he has received this sentence from the court today.

“I hope this sends a clear message that Dorset Police takes all rural crime, including wildlife crime, seriously and will be reassured to know that cross border, inter-agency, partnership working will continue and will grow as we strive to make Dorset the safest county.”