Men Avoid Jail After Training Cockerels for Illegal Fights in Lincolnshire

Hugh Steele, 53, and Douglas Price, 34, were sentenced for their roles in an illegal cockfighting operation in Lincolnshire, where they trained cockerels on treadmills designed to boost their stamina. During a raid by the RSPCA and Lincolnshire Police, investigators found dozens of birds living in cramped, unsanitary conditions, with some suffering from injuries and inadequate nutrition. Both men received ten-week jail terms suspended for 12 months, were ordered to pay £1,000 in costs, and must complete 150 hours of unpaid work. Steele was also banned from keeping chickens or wild birds for life, while Price faces a one-year disqualification. The RSPCA emphasized the cruelty of the operation and the suffering of the animals involved. The case serves as a warning against the illegal practice of cockfighting in the UK.