'Cruel' and illegal Staffordshire pet dealer caged for 32 months after making £300,000 in six years

Robert Gillan, of Upper Cross Street, Rugeley, was sentenced today at Stafford Crown Court after Cannock Chase District Council finally clipped his fraudulent wings.

Rugeley market stallholder Gillan repeatedly ignored welfare checks from the council about the safety of the creatures in his care as well as breaking international laws governing the sale of animals across the world.

The 40-year-old also tried to ignore the long arm of the environmental law continuing to his fraudulent business after two warrants were executed in 2022 and 2023. He pleaded guilty to fraud in 2024 but not guilty to animal cruelty offences last year.

His Honour Judge Avik Mukherjee jailed Gillan for two years and eight months and banned him from trading birds and animals on his release.

He said: "This was a long term fraud, you started in 2016 and lasted for six years. You entered to make money and that you did, an estimated £300,000.

"There was a large number of victims both animal and customers. These crimes led to significant harm of animals.

Customers and friends who wrote to the court praising Gillan's care for animals but they fell on dear ears with the judge branding the authors 'naive at best'.

Explaining why he sent Gillan to prison instead of suspending the sentence and giving the defendant a community punishment.

"This offending is so serious an immediate custodial sentence is justified due to the length this fraud took place, the harm caused to the animals, the amount of money you made and the number of victims involved."

The judge reduced his original sentence from 60 months in jail due to Gillan pleading guilty to the first offence in 2024 and mitigating factors including being the full time carer for his disabled girlfriend, who shouted her dismay at the sentence from the public gallery.

As well as being caged liked the birds he sold Gillan will be banned from selling animals but allowed to keep his family pets including four dogs. The birds in his home will have to be removed.

The judge added: "I am unhappy you are still involved in the animal trade but this prohibition order should stop you in a lot of ways."

The offences date back as 2016. The case has taken so long to appear before Stafford Crown Court due to the complicated research needed to find out whether sales had the right documents to sell rare birds and animals legally.

Gillan also failed to ensure safety of birds in aviaries between May 2022 and December 2023, and trying to sell protected Hermann's tortoises in 2021.

He also tried to sell two African grey parrots in September 2021, an endangered military macaw in November 2021, and two endangered Catalina macaws in April 2022.

Gillan is also accused of fraud relating to the selling of birds without the required paperwork, which can earn the seller huge profits but contravenes international animal safety agreements created by the United Nations to protect endangered species which were on the verge of extinction in the last century.

Prosecuting, Mark Jackson told the court Gillan never held a licence, which cost £150 a month, during this sole trading years.

"He did not hold a licence to trade or breed animals so was acting fraudulently, selling the animals under the trading name of Staffordshire Pets let customers believe they were legitimate. 

"When they were  buying from an illegal pet seller, the care were woefully deficient. He sold animals which were in poor health and evidence some died in his care."

At a raid on the property, 162 animals were found inside, a veterinary surgeon certified that 27 animals were suffering or likely to suffer.  These were voluntarily surrendered to the Council.

Councillor John Preece, Portfolio Leader for Environment and Climate Change said: “Firstly, I would like to thank the officers for all their hard work in bringing this case to trial.

“This sentencing shows the enormity of the case and sends an important message that the illegal sale and poor treatment of animals will not be tolerated in Cannock Chase. Animal welfare is taken extremely seriously, and we will continue to work closely with our partners to investigate concerns, protect animals from harm and take enforcement action.

“I’d like to assure residents that all surviving animals were rehomed after being examined by a veterinarian and are doing well in their new environment.”