Nicola Ruth Palmer of Adams Place, Kesgrave, Ipswich appeared before Ipswich Magistrates Court yesterday (6th Jan 2021) charged with licensing offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. It follows an incident where Ms. Palmer was alleged to have stolen two dogs from a charity, Phoenix Rehoming, that she volunteered for. It was later revealed that Ms. Palmer bred the dogs in her possession.
She pleaded guilty to operating a business of breeding and selling dogs without a license.
She was sentenced to a conditional discharge and made to pay a £230 contribution towards the prosecutions costs.
The case was brought by Animal Protection Services as a private criminal prosecution, utilising powers contained within section 6(1) of the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985. It is believed to be the first private prosecution for the unlicensed sales of puppies and one of a handful of prosecutions ever to be taken under the legislation.
The conviction has been recorded on the Police National Computer (PNC). The prosecution was represented by Pamela Rose of 1MCB and James Parry of Parry and Welch Solicitors LLP.
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