EXCLUSIVE: Protesters warned to stay out of courtroom where man faced animal cruelty charges over deaths of 41 dogs

PROTESTERS were warned to stay out of a courtroom where a man was due to plea to animal cruelty and fraud charges in connection with the deaths of 41 dogs at a former rescue centre.

Judge Samantha Leigh said if any members of the public tried to bring any banners into court they would have to leave the hearing after protestors gathered outside Southend Crown Court.

Oaveed Rahman, 25, appeared at the court on July 3 2025 to face two animal cruelty charges in connection with the deaths of the animals.

He is also charged with three counts of fraud by false representation, in connection with the transfer of ownership of dogs at the rescue centre.

The remains of 37 deceased dogs were found at his former home, in Hope Road, Crays Hill, near Basildon, during a joint raid by Essex Police, the RSPCA and Basildon Council on May 13.

Twenty one live dogs in need of health care were also discovered.

Rahman, also known as Obi Rahman, was running the Save A Paw UK rescue centre from the address at the time of the operation, which followed complaints from former pet owners about animals going 'missing.'

Police discovered the remains of four more dogs on June 4, after a number of buildings at the site were dismantled by the landowner after Rahman was evicted from the property, leading to the second animal cruelty charge.

On Thursday, Rahman's plea hearing was adjourned due to problems with his securing Legal Aid, following a cyber attack on the agency earlier this year.

Due to the highly emotive case, Judge Leigh also warned the public gallery that if there were any witnesses or potential witnesses in the case in the courtroom they would also have to leave.

She gave a warning to anyone posting on social media about the case.

She said: 'People need to be careful what they put on social media as you would not want to jeopardise a trial.'

Rahman is charged with one count of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal between November 1, 2024, and May 14, 2025, by a failure to act, in that he failed to keep alive 37 dogs, and he knew or ought to have known the effects or likely effects.

The second count relates to the further four dead animals found.

It is also alleged that between December 25, 2024, and May 1, 2025, he falsely represented to a woman that he was running a charitable organisation involved in the rehoming of dogs intending to cause her a loss or a risk of a loss.

A second fraud charge, relating to a period between November 28, 2024, and May 14, 2025, stated he fraudulently represented that he had rehomed a dog, intending to cause an individual a loss or a risk of a loss.

The third fraud charge was that between January 31 and May 14, 2025, Rahman fraudulently represented that he had rehomed another dog causing an individual a loss or a risk of loss.

At an earlier Southend Magistrates Court hearing on May 15, the court heard that Rahman, 25, allegedly took in animals from owners who could no longer keep them, with the promise of rehoming them for a fee.

Prosecutor Rebecca Debenham said at that hearing: 'He set up and represented as a charity Save a Paw UK offering services to those who had dogs and wanted the dogs to be rehomed.

'He took payments on the understanding he would rehome them, but unfortunately that was not the case.

'At Mr Rahman's home, where police and partners attended, the bodies of 37 dogs were found with other dogs living in his garden.

'Further enquiries are being carried out by the police... this is transpiring to be a nationwide situation,'

Rahman could face a maximum of two years in prison for each cruelty charge and 18 months for each fraud offence.

A 25-year-old woman from London, arrested in connection with the investigation on June 4, and another man, who was arrested with Rahman, remain on bail until later this month.

Insp Steve Parry of Essex Police said after the first raid that it was an 'extremely extensive and sensitive investigation'.

He added: 'The connection people had with their pets is obvious in each case and I promise that this is not lost on us.'

Basildon Council has also launched an internal inquiry to investigate what the local authority knew of the situation regarding public complaints ahead of the first raid.

Aidan McGurran, Labour cabinet member for environment and leisure, said the council was committed to understanding all aspects of the 'deeply troubling incident'.

He said: 'Checks will be made to see if any other councillors were contacted by concerned members of the public.

'We've seen comments from residents on social media suggesting they had raised concerns with the council previously.'

Judge Leigh today said Rahman will not go on trial until April 20 next year, due to court backlogs, but he can only be held in custody until September, due to a time limit, which can be extended in exceptional circumstances.

He was told he will have to enter his pleas at the next hearing.