HORRIFIC

TO many it would have looked like any other garage of a village home, but Billy and Amy Leadley's house hid a horrific secret world of deadly dog fighting.

- HOLLIE BONE

And from within its walls, self-styled "Doctor Death" Phillip Ali ran a barbaric international contest ring where thousands of pounds could be won as the animals were ripped apart.

His dogs were pumped full of steroids and painkillers to improve their chances of victory as he trained them for their bloodthirsty battles, a court heard.

Billy Leadley, 38, and 39-year-old Amy claimed they had a birthing pit in their garage-but blood splatters from five different dogs proved they were secretly using it as an "arena" for the twisted spectacles.

The couple along with Ali, 68, and his 56-year-old accomplice Stephen Brown were yesterday found guilty of a string of charges in relation to the vicious dog fights, about which they circulated reports after each one.

One bragged about an animal biting another "in the throat" and "shaking hard". Fitness coach Billy even refereed the fights while operating underground kennels at his home in Bambers Green, Takeley, Essex, training the animals.

When vets from the RSPCA examined the "filthy" set-up they found dogs covered in scars where their flesh had been torn and punctured.

Jurors heard how the pair hosted fights in a homemade pit with blood splatters across the walls.

Prosecuting barrister Hazel Stevens told Chelmsford Crown Court: "Samples were taken and found to have come from at least five different dogs.

"The middle section of the garage contained a pit, 12ft x 8ft, carpeted with painted sides"

In one match held in Leadley's bloodied pit, the group watched on as a pitbull called Bonnie was mauled to death in a fight which went on for 25 minutes. The dog was left bleeding and badly injured with two front broken legs. Her body was never recovered