A serial animal abuser has been told he will spend even more time in jail for selling sick puppies, with a judge saying he was ‘trading in animal misery and human misery in equal proportions.’
‘Despicable’ Thomas Stokes, 26, who had already been convicted for his role in a puppy farm, had 27 months added to his sentence after three sick cockapoos were found in the boot of his car this January.
With that added to his previous sentence of four years and eight months, he will now serve a total of six years.
Thomas Stokes, 26, who was jailed for four years and eight months for his role in a puppy farm, has been given a further 27 months for selling more puppies (Pictured, one of the sick cockapoos found)
Stokes was stopped by police while he was driving for unrelated matters when he was found with the cockapoo puppies in January.
His home was then raided and evidence was found that showed Stokes had been selling puppies.
The discovery came as Stokes was being investigated by the RSPCA for his role in a puppy farm organisation, which saw more than 4,500 dogs being sold over five years, making an estimated £2.5 million, according to the RSPCA.
The gang of five which predominantly included vet, Daniel Doherty, who falsified medical records, was caught for illegally breeding dogs.
They sold more than 4,500 puppies while operating in London and across the South East.
Stokes admitted to two animal welfare offences and one fraud offence at Aylesbury Crown Court this week.

Three sick cockapoos (one pictured) were found in the boot of his car when he was stopped by the police for unrelated matters earlier this year

Stokes will now serve a six year sentence and has been banned from owning dogs for life (Pictured, the third cockapoo found in Stokes’ car boot)
Following this investigation, Stokes was jailed in May for three years and banned from owning animals for life.
However, the sentence was increased by the Attorney General to four years and eight months by the Queen’s chief legal advisor after the bid was deemed to lenient.
With the 27 months added to the sentence this week, Stokes will serve a total of six years and 11 months behind bars. His ban from owning dogs for life was also renewed.
RSPCA Inspector Kirsty Withnall, who led both investigations, said: ‘Mr Stokes was part of a major investigation by the police and our officers into puppy farming in London.
‘It goes to show how much money there is to be made in this trade that people will take the risk and continue selling, despite being investigated.
‘Unfortunately, puppies – particularly those of certain ‘fashionable’ breeds and crossbreeds – can attract hundreds if not thousands of pounds today so it’s a lucrative business for people who want to make a quick buck.

Stokes was part of a gang which sold more than 4,500 from an illegal puppy farm operating in London and South-East England (Pictured, dogs from the puppy farm)
Sadly though it’s the animals who pay the price when these dealers fail to put their health and welfare first.
‘I hope these investigations send a strong message to others that we will not allow this sort of animal abuse or fraud to continue.’
At the sentencing in Aylesbury Crown Court Judge Francis Sheridan said: ‘Thomas Stokes you have been trading in animal misery and human misery in equal proportions.’

The main culprit of the puppy farm gang was vet, Daniel Doherty, who falsified health records of the dogs on the estate (Pictured, two dogs from the farm)
He went on to brand the offences as ‘despicable.’
Inspector Withnall said: ‘We were already looking into a gang of puppy dealers in West London which included Mr Stokes, when he was stopped by police and three puppies were found inside his car.
‘This prompted a search of his new address on 18 January and we discovered evidence that Mr Stokes was, once again, selling puppies.’
All three puppies found in the back of Stokes car were rescued by the RSPCA and have since been rehomed.