A farming couple from Staffordshire have been banned from keeping livestock for 12 years after they were found guilty of multiple animal welfare offences.

Staffordshire County Council first took action against Matthew Shuker, aged 38, and his wife Courtney Shuker, aged 32, in March 2023 when the council's trading standards officers visited their farm, which resides in Leek.

Upon arrival at Shuker's Westwood Hall Farm, officers reportedly found cattle "in such poor condition" that it resulted in 243 calves being removed from the holdings and taken into the possession of the council.

The Royal Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) also became involved in prosecuting the couple after council officers found dogs in "appalling conditions" on the farm as well.

This resulted in a 10-year ban from keeping companion animals for the both of them.

Sentences

The pair were officially prosecuted by the council after pleading guilty at a hearing on May 12, 2025 at Telford Magistrates Court, with sentences given out this week on Wednesday (July 29).

At the sentencing, Matthew Shuker was given a 38-week custodial sentence, suspended for 18 months, a £400 fine and an order to complete 200 hours of unpaid work.

His wife, Courtney Shuker received a 26-week custodial sentence, suspended for 18 months, a £200 fine and an order to complete 140 hours of unpaid work.

In addition to this, the couple were also ordered to pay more than £15,000 each in prosecution costs.

Animal welfare

Despite previous advice and improvement notices being served on the farm, the court heard how there had been a "repeated failure to provide calves with adequate food and to obtain veterinary care when required."

The prosecutors also stated that the couple had unlawfully castrated bull calves and failed to deal with ill, dying and dead animals.

Judge Wilkinson commended all the officers involved in the investigation, adding that the case "strikes at the heart of an animal loving nation."

The cabinet member for community safety and resilience at Stafford County Council, Anthony Screen highlighted that the case was "a particularly upsetting" one, which involved "vulnerable, young animals whose basic welfare needs were not met."

Screen said: "Despite professional advice and intervention, the couple continued to offend, even after animals had been removed from the site.

"I’m pleased the court has reached a successful conclusion, sending a clear message that we will take robust action where welfare standards are ignored.

"We will continue to support our animal health officers in tackling neglect and abuse and repeat offenders who disregard professional advice should expect consequences that reflect the seriousness of their actions and deter others from similar behaviour."