Illegal puppy farmer who sold sick dogs to families avoids jail despite missing trial and being on the run for three years
A man who was convicted in his absence three years ago for his part in an illegal puppy farm operation in Telford has finally been sentenced for his crimes - but has avoided prison.
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Luke Raymond Gillman, aged 31 and previously of Stebbings, Telford, failed to show up for his trial at Telford Magistrates Court in August 2021 after being charged with animal cruelty and fraud.
The charges related to the illegal selling of puppies, firstly in Manchester and then in Telford, which led to many puppies having to be put to sleep after more than 50 were illegally sold to unsuspecting families.
Stuart Cooper, prosecuting Gillman on behalf of the RSPCA, told Shrewsbury Crown Court on Friday (January 17) that Gillman became 'absent from the system' after a warrant for his arrest was mistakenly cancelled, resulting in him missing his trial in 2021 and spending more than three years as a wanted man.
A further warrant for the arrest of Gillman, now of Helsby Road in Sale, Greater Manchester, was issued last year and he handed himself into the police station in Manchester.
Mr Cooper said Gillman was before the court charged with fraud by false representation and a breach of bail, adding that two charges of animal cruelty were set to be heard at a magistrates court hearing in Manchester following the crown court case.
He said the fraud involved Gillman and two co-defendants, who had already been sentenced, selling puppies to families in Manchester and Telford, claiming they were home-bred.
