© 2025 Hunt Saboteurs Association
Sam Staniland, ex-huntsman of the Essex & Suffolk and Meynell & South Staffs Hunts, was sentenced on 10th April at Norwich magistrates court following his conviction on six charges of animal cruelty.
Despite what judge Matthew Bone described as “depraved” and “frankly sadistic behaviour”, Staniland escaped the prison time he so richly deserved.
Following a joint Suffolk Police and RSPCA raid of Staniland’s home back in 2023, three Patterdale terriers – Scandal, Roxy and Spud – were seized and a fox’s head and skin were found in a bin. The dogs all had injuries consistent with being forced to fight foxes and badgers.
Staniland’s phone was also seized. Its incriminating contents included:
Stainland was sentenced to just 26 weeks in prison, but this was suspended for 18 months. He was also banned from keeping dogs for 5 years, must do some community service and must pay £1,200 in costs.
A Suffolk & Essex Hunt Sabs spokesperson commented:
“Serial wildlife criminal Sam Staniland escapes real justice again. Although the judge increased the suggested tariff by the CPS to Staniland’s suspended sentence, we’re disappointed that his previous hunting act conviction wasn’t deemed relevant to this case and the wildlife suffering was ignored and not mentioned. The penalty doesn’t fit the crime, Staniland is a repeat offender of wildlife and animal abuse. The only real deterrence to offend again would have been a custodial sentence. Even Staniland himself was prepared to go to prison and so had brought a prison bag to court with him.
The Essex & Suffolk Hunt is a breeding ground for wildlife and animal abusing criminals. They had no issue employing Sam Staniland after he was sacked from his previous job, at the now defunct Meynell & South Staffs Hunt, for suggesting to an intern that they drown an unwanted litter of puppies at the kennels. The hunt’s current huntsman John Henty was in court earlier this year for two separate hunting act offences and former Whipper-in Oli Thompson was exposed by the HSA back in 2023, showing shocking footage of him baiting a fox cub with a terrier.
This flagrant disregard for criminal convictions and ongoing instances of animal cruelty, show that the law is no deterrent to wildlife abusers and they will continue to perpetuate rural crimes, as long as they are allowed to get away with nothing more than slapped wrists.”
South Suffolk Hunt Sabs added:
“There are not enough words for us to convey our utter disgust at our justice system. At no point throughout Sam Staniland’s trial, or in his sentencing, was the horrific abuse and suffering the badgers and foxes had to endure at his hands taken into account. We see peaceful protesters and activists imprisoned for simply exercising their right to protest. This is utterly backwards.
The crimes Staniland has been convicted of are clearly the tip of the iceberg. He has made torturing any animal a hobby that he indulged in on a regular basis. We are not surprised he was so blatant about illegal fox hunting if this was how he was spending his spare time. How many other members of the hunting community are complicit with these crimes? The same sick mentality runs through all of them and every member of every hunt has blood on their hands. Staniland’s sentence makes a mockery of our justice system and dismisses the impact he had on our wildlife. His sentence is simply not reflective of the abusive, “sadistic” and “depraved” person he is. We cry and mourn for all the animals who have come to harm at his hands. We will continue to fight for justice for all our precious wildlife.”
Please support the sabs involved:
Suffolk & Essex Hunt Sabs
South Suffolk Hunt Sabs
We are the only organisation that works directly in the field to save wildlife through direct action.