Millionaire puppy farmers. raked in £100,000 neglecting dogs at unlicensed farm

Millionaire farmers made a six-figure sum by committing harrowing crimes against dogs they were breeding.

A court heard today, Wednesday, December 17, 2025, that Stephen and Hazel Hamilton raked in £100,000 while neglecting a host of pooches at their unlicensed puppy farm.

Kilmarnock Sheriff Court was told that Stephen Hamilton has savings and assets totalling more than £1.7million.

The details emerged at a Proceeds of Crime hearing which followed the Hamiltons admitting their guilt over their criminal enterprise.

Defence KC Mark Moir, representing Stephen, said: "Following extensive discussions, an agreement has been reached."

He said that Stephen was agreeing he had made £60,000 from the bogus business "on a pragmatic basis".

And he asked Sheriff Nicky Patrick to allow six months for payment, "to allow him sufficient time to realise the funds to pay".

Solicitor Ian Moir, representing Hazel Hamilton, said her general criminal conduct had been agreed as being £40,000.

But he said the available amount - from her savings and assets - was "significantly higher than this".

He said the court could make a confiscation order for £40,000 and asked for time to pay, saying there was more than £26,000 which had been held in an overseas account.

Sheriff Patrick then adjourned the case further until next month for up to date background reports to be prepared by social workers.

As she deferred sentence until the new year, she said: "I'm going to obtain a criminal justice social work report to determine how to deal with the outstanding summary complaint that is before me.

"You must engage with the preparation of the report."

During their illegal breeding operation, the Hamiltons kept dogs in cramped conditions and failed to get them urgent veterinary treatment

The animals were housed in industrial kennels in different buildings, with dogs left suffering broken nails, dermatitis, chronic dental disease, and painful ear problems.

The dogs were denied adequate exercise and socialisation and the Hamiltons failed to protect them from suffering. 

The couple applied for an East Ayrshire Council breeding licence in 2016, after moving to Scotland from Ireland more than 20 years ago.

But the bid to have legal industrial kennels at Newmilns' New Intax farm was knocked back after a public outcry. 

Among the objectors were Police Scotland, the Scottish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and the Scottish Government’s Veterinary Advisor on Animal Welfare.

A petition containing 20,000 names of people opposing the bid was also submitted. 

But the Hamiltons carried on regardless and were found running a major breeding programme that brought misery to animals.