‘Dr Death’ and Essex gang who held brutal dog fights jailed
A man known as Dr Death is among a group jailed for arranging bloodthirsty dog fights in which the animals suffered terrible injuries.
The dogs were put on treadmills and starved to get down to fighting weight, and sometimes died during the bouts.
Chelmsford Crown Court heard others were badly hurt, suffering broken legs for example, and were kept in dirty conditions without clean water or proper bedding.
They were denied access to a vet and were treated with makeshift medical kits.
The gang showed “a shocking level of barbarism and callousness” and treated the dogs as “playing pieces” and a “commodity”, said judge Jamie Sawyer.
He said a report about one 58-minute fight, in which one of the animals suffered two broken legs, was “horrific”.
The court heard the fights took place in England, Ireland and France.
Phillip Harris Ali (left) and Stephen Brown (right) were among three people jailed. Pic: PA
A phone belonging to ringleader to Phillip Harris Ali, 67, from Chigwell in Essex, known as Dr Death, provided much of the evidence.
It contained video and photos of the dogs, as well as gruesome fight reports, and were sent via an encrypted messaging app.
A RSPCA photo shows kennels in the garden of Phillip Harris Ali’s home in Chigwell. Pic: PA
A photo of a fighting pit in France taken from Ali’s phone. Pic: PA
Ali’s accomplice, Stephen Albert Brown, 57, also from Chigwell, was the person who obtained illegal veterinary medicine and equipment.
He also helped train the dogs and arrange the fights.
Personal trainer Billy Leadley, 38, had a dog fighting pit in his home in Bambers Green, Takeley, Essex, and was referee for some of the bouts.
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Ali was sentenced to five years in jail for 10 offences under the Animal Welfare Act, Brown got two-and-a-half years for five offences, and Leadley got four years for 12 offences.
Leadley’s wife Amy was not directly involved in the ring, but was sentenced for offences linked to keeping a premises for dog fighting and not caring for the animals properly.
She received a community order, 200 hours of unpaid work and 25 days’ rehabilitation.
All of those convicted were banned from keeping dogs for 10 years.
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Sir Keir Starmer to sack Treasury minister Tulip Siddiq over allegations she lived in properties linked to allies of her aunt, Sheikh Hasina, the deposed prime minister of Bangladesh.
It comes after the current Bangladeshi leader, Muhammad Yunus, said London properties used by Ms Siddiq should be investigated.
He told the Sunday Times the properties should be handed back to his government if they were acquired through “plain robbery”.
Tory leader Ms Badenoch said: “It’s time for Keir Starmer to sack Tulip Siddiq.
“He appointed his personal friend as anti-corruption minister and she is accused herself of corruption.
“Now the government of Bangladesh is raising serious concerns about her links to the regime of Sheikh Hasina.”
Ms Siddiq insists she has “done nothing wrong”.
Her aunt was ousted from office in August following an uprising against her 20-year leadership and fled to India.
Ms Siddiq is also named with her aunt in Bangladesh court documents about meetings with the Russian government.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has called on Sir Keir to sack the minister
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As economic secretary to the Treasury, Ms Siddiq is responsible for policy on both the City and tackling corruption.
She referred herself to the prime minister’s ethics watchdog on Monday following the reports about the properties.
On the same day, the prime minister said: “Tulip Siddiq has acted entirely properly by referring herself to the independent adviser, as she’s now done, and that’s why we brought into being the new code.
“It’s to allow ministers to ask the adviser to establish the facts, and yes, I’ve got confidence in her, and that’s the process that will now be happening.”
Police in Aberdeen have widened the search area for two sisters who disappeared four days ago in the city.
Eliza and Henrietta Huszti, both 32, were last seen on CCTV on Market Street after leaving their home on Tuesday at around 2.12am.
The sisters – who are part of a set of triplets and originally from Hungary – crossed the Victoria Bridge to the Torry area and turned right on to a footpath next to the River Dee.
Eliza and Henrietta Huszti were last seen on CCTV in Market Street. Pic: Police Scotland/PA
They headed in the direction of Aberdeen Boat Club but officers said there is no evidence to suggest the missing women left the immediate area.
Specialist search teams, police dogs and a marine unit have been trying to trace the pair.
The sisters crossed Victoria Bridge before walking along a footpath next to the River Dee
The pair were heading in the direction of Aberdeen Boat Club on the south side of the River Dee
Further searches are being carried out towards the Port of Aberdeen’s South Harbour and Duthie Park.
Police Scotland said it is liaising with authorities in Hungary to support the relatives of the two sisters.
Chief Inspector Darren Bruce said: “Eliza and Henrietta’s family are understandably extremely worried about them and we are working tirelessly to find them.
“We are seriously concerned about them and have significant resources dedicated to the inquiry.”
The sisters, from Aberdeen city centre, are described as slim with long brown hair.
Henrietta Huszti. Pic: Police Scotland
Eliza Huszti. Pic: Police Scotland
Officers have requested businesses in and around the South Esplanade and Menzies Road area to review their CCTV footage for the early morning of Tuesday 7 January.
Police added they are keen to hear from anyone with dashcam footage from that time.
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