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A Blackwood man who tortured and mutilated a defenceless hedgehog has been recalled to prison.

Richard Coyle, 54, of no fixed abode, was handed a six-month jail sentence for animal cruelty on November 3, 2020.

He denied two animal cruelty charges at Newport Magistrates’ Court on November 3, but was found guilty.

The court was told how Coyle had cut the hedgehog’s legs off, burned the animal and covered its head and eyes with hot candle wax in August 2020.

A district judge found him guilty for offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and the Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996 by trial and jailed him for six months.

He was also banned from keeping animals for ten years and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £122. A victim surcharge imposed by the courts goes to fund victim services.

He was released from prison on licence on December 16 – meaning he had to follow a set of rules, or risk being called back to prison.

However, Gwent Police issued a statement on Tuesday (January 5) saying Coyle, who also has links to Caerphilly and Swansea, has broken his licence conditions. Police are now appealing for information on his whereabouts.

Gwent Police refused to disclose what Coyle’s licence conditions were, or what conditions he has broken.

Anyone with information on Coyle’s whereabouts can contact Gwent Police on 101, quoting log 2000462965.

Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.