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Police manhunt for dog fighting gang leader

Published 21:45 8 Apr 2019 BST

Oli Dugmore
Police manhunt for dog fighting gang leader

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John Knibbs is wanted by police after failing to attend sentencing

John Knibbs is wanted by police for leading a gang responsible for orchestrating dog fights. Knibbs failed to attend sentencing at Lincoln Magistrates Court on Monday morning after being found guilty of animal cruelty. The fugitive, formerly of Sleaford, was seen allowing dogs to fight each other in a video found by detectives. This is the third time Knibbs has been prosecuted for dog fighting even though he was banned from keeping animal for the rest of his life in 2009. Kimberleigh Steel, Knibb's ex-girlfriend, did attend the court and was given a 16-week suspended sentence for 'aiding and abetting' and a five year ban on keeping animals. Hazel Stevens, RSPCA, said during the trial: "At the time of the raid Steele claimed to own all of the dogs. "We are looking after the dogs in kennels for £15,700 a year. Some are so dangerous they need to be darted before the staff can go inside."

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Police manhunt for dog fighting gang leader