The judge warned the defendant he needed to be ‘very careful now’.
Former Love Island winner Jack Fincham has successfully appealed against a six-week prison sentence for dangerous dog offences, walking free from court with an extension to his suspended sentence order instead.
The 32-year-old, who rose to fame after winning the 2018 series of the ITV2 reality show with Dani Dyer, had previously admitted to two counts of being in charge of a dangerously out-of-control dog.
He was sentenced at Southend Magistrates’ Court on 29th January to six weeks in prison, but on Friday, a judge ruled that the custodial sentence was not “just” and set it aside. Instead, she extended an existing suspended sentence order – originally imposed for an unrelated driving offence – by three months.
Dog attacks in 2022 and 2024
Prosecutors told the court that Fincham’s dog, a black Cane Corso named Elvis, bit a runner, Robert Sudell, in Swanley, Kent, in September 2022, leaving an injury to his arm.
In June 2024, Elvis was again reported to be out of control, grabbing a woman’s leg in Grays, Essex. However, this time, the victim did not sustain any injuries.
Shortly after receiving his six-week prison sentence, Fincham lodged an appeal, leading to his release on conditional bail pending the hearing at Basildon Crown Court on Friday.
Judge finds sentence ‘unjust’
Presiding over the appeal, Judge Samantha Leigh found that the Magistrates’ Court’s decision to activate Fincham’s suspended sentence for an unrelated driving matter was not justified given the circumstances.
The original 12-week suspended sentence had been imposed in March 2023 after Fincham was convicted of drug-driving and fraudulent use of a registration mark.
In January 2024, magistrates had partially activated the sentence following his guilty pleas for the dog offences, but Judge Leigh ruled that this was excessive. Instead, she extended the operational period of the suspended sentence by three months, leaving the rest of the punishment unchanged.
Fine and additional conditions
Despite avoiding jail, Fincham must still pay £3,680, which includes:
- £2,000 contribution towards kennelling costs
- £961 fine
- £200 compensation to Mr Sudell
Fincham had previously been given a caution in June 2024, with conditions requiring him to keep the dog muzzled and on a lead in public places.
However, in August 2024, police discovered Elvis in a hotel’s public pool area, off his lead and unmuzzled, during an unrelated investigation.
Fincham’s defence and the judge’s response
Fincham’s lawyer, Richard Cooper, told the court that his client had just moved to a new property when the June 2024 incident occurred, and Elvis had slipped out while he was bringing in boxes.
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Regarding the hotel pool incident in August, Mr Cooper said that Fincham had deliberately chosen a dog-friendly hotel, believing that allowing his dog some freedom was a practical solution.
“He made no secret of the fact, even broadcasting it to his two million social media followers,” Mr Cooper added.
Judge Leigh was unimpressed, responding: “It’s his own stupidity, then.”
Mr Cooper acknowledged that Fincham’s actions were his own fault but argued that he had made significant progress.
Fincham’s personal and professional turnaround
The court heard that Fincham has since returned to a regular 9-to-5 job and has resumed boxing, although he considers that more of a side interest.
While delivering the revised sentence, Judge Leigh issued a final warning, stating: “You need to be very careful now.”
With his prison sentence overturned, Fincham now faces an extended suspended sentence order, as well as the financial penalties imposed by the court.
