Dean Cain

Location: Nottingham

Affiliation:  South Notts Sabs 

Dean Cain would be a familiar face in the world of sabbing, were it not for his intimidating black balaclava. Cain describes himself as a “drug-free vegan anarchist” with interests that range from those common among sab groups (such as animal rights protests and anti-fascism) to some that are a little more left-field (dumpster diving and UFOs and the paranormal). A sab with his head in the stars - though we suspect most landowners would rather he kept his feet off their property.

Cain reportedly spent this season sabbing with the South Notts where he earned a reputation for intimidating bystanders and hunt supporters. One source told us of a tense encounter with Cain and fellow sabs: “The three of them cornered me. I had to cross a field and walk about a mile to get away from them.” Another reported that Cain and his crew “always talk to me when I’m on my own and they started on me.”

Cain’s history in the animal rights movement has previously brought him up against the law: in 2006, he was arrested alongside Keith Richardson at a Vodafone protest in Blackpool. Then, in 2009, he was arrested in a reconnaissance raid on Highgate Farm, reportedly alongside his then girlfriend, Victoria Waterhouse-Taylor. Cain later returned to prison following the breaching of his parole conditions.

Cain, far right

SHAC links

Cain has also been linked to Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty (SHAC), an animal rights group known for extreme and criminal tactics during its campaign that ran from 1999 to 2014.

SHAC's crusade was described by one judge as a "ruthless and sustained campaign" against Huntingdon Life Sciences (HLS) scientists, who were carrying out life-saving research at the institute in Cambridgeshire. Tactics included false allegations of child abuse, planting real and hoax bombs in the cars of scientists, and delivering sanitary towels allegedly contaminated with the AIDS virus to traumatise staff.

In one instance HLS managing director Brian Cass was severely beaten outside his home by three masked sabs using axe handles, among whom was extremist David Blenkinsop. In a separate incident, the company’s marketing director Andrew Gray was attacked with a chemical spray to his eyes and beaten.  

 Several other familiar faces in the sab world have been involved in SHAC’s criminal campaigns, including Lynn Sawyer, a veteran of the group, Emily Hepburn and Emma Phipps.

Cain’s troubling links don’t stop there. He is apparently a long-time associate of Ian Ross, who in 2006 was found by a judge to have levelled false allegations against a hunt supporter. And according to SHAC Watch, the sab has previously been charged with shoplifting and assault.