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Great Yarmouth Man Banned From Keeping Farm Animals Following Cruelty Case

Friday, 16 October 2026 20:07

A Great Yarmouth man has been banned from keeping farm animals for ten years after admitting eight animal welfare offences.

A former farm worker from Great Yarmouth has been banned from keeping farm animals for ten years after admitting a series of animal cruelty offences.

Steven Woolger, 48, pleaded guilty to eight offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 relating to his treatment of pigs at a boar stud farm in Burgh Castle.

The offences took place between May and September 2024 while Woolger was employed as a stockman at the facility.

Great Yarmouth Magistrates' Court heard that undercover footage obtained by animal welfare campaigners showed Woolger repeatedly mistreating pigs in his care.

The footage included incidents involving animals being struck with a pitchfork and a plastic pipe, as well as being kicked.

Norfolk County Council's Trading Standards team subsequently investigated the allegations and brought the prosecution.

Woolger admitted causing unnecessary suffering to the animals and failing to protect them from pain, suffering and injury.

District Judge Matthew Bone described his actions as deliberate and repeated, highlighting his responsibility to safeguard the welfare of animals under his care.

Woolger was handed a 17-week prison sentence, suspended, and disqualified from keeping farm animals or being involved in their care for ten years.

He was also ordered to pay £1,500 towards prosecution costs.

The prosecution follows concerns raised by animal welfare campaigners about the treatment of pigs at the Burgh Castle facility.

 

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