Monday, 28th October 2002 Bob Woollard stood as Judge Arthur Barnard addressed the foreman of the jury. Barnard had a rich, deep tone to his voice that made DI Mike Bevan imagine that the God of Justice himself had come to Peterborough. ‘How do you find the defendant Mr Robert Woollard on the charge of “overloading, infuriating and terrifying” animals under Section A of the 1991 Protection of Animals Act?’ The foreman, a physics teacher from Newmarket, cleared his throat. ‘Guilty.’ ‘On charge two, that the defendant Mr Robert Woollard “caused, procured or assisted in the fighting of animals and managed premises for that purpose”, do you find him guilty or not guilty?’ ‘Guilty, your worship.’ ‘Guilty, your honour,’ the judge corrected him with the ghost of a smile lurking on his lips. Woollard was also found guilty of four additional charges relating to the breeding and sale of illegal dogs. After a brief deliberation, Judge Barnard sentenced him to a minimum of three years’ imprisonment: the maximum permitted by the existing legislation.
