TWO brothers have been jailed for animal cruelty after inflicting 'horrifying' pain on animals which one police officer said was the worst he has ever seen.

Kristen Cooper, 24, of Bransgore in Hampshire, was sentenced to five years in prison at Southampton Crown Court on Friday, January 19, after admitting seven offences of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.

The charges followed a raid at Cooper's address on October 3, 2022, when officers found several mobile phone videos showing him causing unnecessary suffering to animals, mainly in rural areas at night.

They showed Cooper causing suffering to injured deer and hares and in some cases encouraging dogs to attack them. There were also videos showing wildlife with injuries suggesting they had been mutilated.

The videos were reviewed by a vet as part of the prosecution process, who described them as some of the worst cases of animal abuse he had seen in 24 years.

Salisbury Journal: Kristen and Todd Cooper inflicted horrific suffering on animals.Kristen and Todd Cooper inflicted horrific suffering on animals. (Image: Dorset Police)

Cooper also admitted handling stolen goods, relating to the handling of equipment that had been taken from farms in East Dorset.

Cooper entered further guilty pleas to two charges of criminal damage and an offence of intentionally encouraging or assisting the commission of a criminal offence relating to an incident where a vehicle was driven deliberately at a police car and a further two cars in Christchurch Road in Bournemouth in December 2021.

He was also sentenced for using a motor vehicle on a road or public place without third party insurance and driving a vehicle otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

Co-defendant Todd Cooper, 29, of Sway in Hampshire, was sentenced to three years and eight months in prison after admitting he and Kristen Cooper held down a deer while he struck it over the head with a blunt object.

Both Kristen and Todd Cooper were also sentenced for assault and weapons offences committed in the New Forest area in Hampshire in March 2023.

Additionally, Kristen Copper has been banned from possessing a catapult and being on farmland between 12am and 6am for 10 years. He is also banned from owning a dog during this time. 

Salisbury Journal: A recovered photograph of three men hare coursing.A recovered photograph of three men hare coursing. (Image: Dorset Police)

Police constable Sebastian Haggett, of Dorset Police's Rural Crime Team, said the offences are "without doubt" some of the most horrifying he has ever investigated.

"Cooper repeatedly subjected animals to horrific levels of pain and suffering, seemingly for his own and others’ amusement," he added.

Inspector Darren Ord, from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, said: “This was a lengthy investigation which has showcased excellent partnership working between Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Constabulary and Dorset Police.

“These horrific crimes have caused a great deal of harm and suffering, and we are pleased that these crimes have been recognised with this sentencing and the offenders have been brought to justice.

“We take reports of rural crime extremely seriously and our officers will continue to work with partners to show criminals that offences of this kind will not be tolerated in Hampshire, or across our borders.”

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick said the justice brought upon Cooper is "very reassuring".

He added: "Kristen Cooper has committed deplorable and sickening acts of cruelty as well as offences that strike at the heart of our rural community and I am pleased to see that he has received this sentence from the court today.

“I hope this sends a clear message that Dorset Police takes all rural crime, including wildlife crime, seriously and will be reassured to know that cross border, inter-agency, partnership working will continue and will grow as we strive to make Dorset the safest county.”