A man has admitted a string of horrific animal cruelty and fraud offences after the remains of more than 40 dogs were discovered at his property, with dozens of pets still unaccounted for.
Guilty Pleas for Catalogue of Offences
Oaveed Rahman, 26, appeared at Basildon Crown Court on Monday and pleaded guilty to 12 criminal charges. The charges relate to causing unnecessary suffering to 21 dogs and one cat. He also admitted 11 separate counts of fraud by false representation.
The court heard how Rahman, from Crays Hill, Billericay, carried out frauds over more than a year. He falsely claimed to run a charity, told owners their dogs had been safely rehomed, and took money under the pretence it would be used for vet care and to build kennels, all while making thousands of pounds.
Nightmare Discovery and Heartbroken Owners
The investigation began last May after a joint visit by police, RSPCA officers, and Basildon Council to a property in Crays Hill. Inspectors initially found 37 dead dogs during that visit. Rahman has been held on remand since his arrest, when the total number of canine remains discovered exceeded 40.
Despite the scale of the discovery, campaigners have expressed anger that Rahman was only charged in relation to 21 dogs. Hayley Lucas, 47, who drove from Scotland to leave her dog Frank at what she believed was 'the perfect' home, now fears he is among the dead. "I've got mixed feelings, but it is good that he is going to be sentenced and will face justice," she said.
Carla Patrick, 48, who set up the Save A Paw Dogs Campaign Group, stated: "We're still searching for a lot of the missing dogs - and we're worried they will never get justice. It has been a long road to get to this point. The situation has been absolutely devastating for all of us."
Sentencing and Community Impact
Judge Samantha Cohen warned Rahman that an immediate custodial sentence was the most likely outcome. Rahman is due to be sentenced on February 20. His defence described him as a 'family man with two young children' with only one prior minor conviction.
Inspector Steve Parry, of the Basildon Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "Rahman's treatment of the dogs in his care was abhorrent and he defrauded members of his own community... He has been on remand since his arrest and now faces a real prospect of a prison sentence."
A charge of animal cruelty against Rahman's partner, Greta Csikos, 26, was dropped, with prosecutors stating it was no longer in the public interest to proceed. The campaign group said this was 'disappointing'.
