Southampton couple spared jail for smuggling Staffies from Poland

Artur Kramer, 47, and his wife Joanna, 44, were handed suspended sentences at Southampton Crown Court following a prosecution brought by the city council.

The couple, of Victoria Road, Woolston, continued to flout the law despite being told to cease their activities, the court heard.

They had previously pleaded guilty to running an unlicensed business, illegally importing 43 dogs, illegally transporting dogs. They also admitted two money laundering offences involving a total of £16,050.

Joanna and Artur Kramer imported puppies from Poland. Picture: Facebook.

Ethu Crorie, prosecuting, said Joanna Kramer was visited by council officers in September 2020 and given a written warning but continued to import dogs from Poland.

He added: "Enquiries showed that no importation or transportation authorisations had been sought by either defendant."

Jamie Gammon, representing Artur Kramer said: "My client accepts that dogs were brought into this country, but nothing was done to conceal what was being done. All the dogs were properly reared and properly documented."

Chris Gaiger, representing Joanna Kramer, said she was "remorseful and deeply concerned at the prospect of a custodial sentence".

He added: "She is the only member of the family currently working and bringing wages into the family home.

"These are serious offences that cross the custody threshold. But, given her plea of guilty and her lack of previous convictions, there is a realistic prospect of rehabilitation and any sentence can be suspended."

The Kramers were sentenced at Southampton Crown Court.

The couple sold Staffordshire terriers which they advertised on websites including Pets4Homes, the court heard.

Recorder Charles Morrison said Joanna Kramer played a leading role in what he described as a group activity that had continued for some time.

He told the couple: "This was a business you were involved in to make money, without bothering to go through the usual steps to make it a lawful business."

Joanna Kramer was handed a 12-month jail term, suspended for two years, for a money laundering offence involving £11,250. Her husband received a nine-month sentence, also suspended for two years, for a similar offence involving £4,800.

There were no separate penalties for the other offences.

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