03/03/2014 Inside Out North East and Cumbria

In the next half an hour, whth the NHS in the North East paying private

ambulance companies to take us to hospital, do we know who we are

really dealing with? The first time we went out, it would not start Why

have substandard vehicles to carry members of the public around? He was

banned by the kennel club and he sells six puppies. I finallx caught

up with him. Why are you involved in the selling of aggressive docs to

complete strangers? Stories from the heart of the North East and Cumbria.

This is Inside Out. If ever you have to be rushdd to

hospital by ambulance, you're probably assume it is an NHS

paramedic or driver looking after you. In fact, it is just as likely

to be a private ambulance company. So now you are thinking thex have

been fully vetted by the NHS. Here in the North East it seems we have

not police this new frontier of health care. So I have turndd

sheriff to investigate. It hs a bit like eight lawless land where anyone

can do what they want. It is shocking it was allowed to get to

that point. . `` it is a horrible feeling. People should not be

allowed to do that. A fronther where the world of Ambulance Servhces have

been open up to private companies. As in any Western, there ard good

skies and bad skies. It is like the wild West out there. Last ydar the

NHS spend ?50 million on prhvate ambulance firms. It is a bit like a

cold rush. In the North East, the NHS paid one company more than

?600,000, but it disappeared without trace, leaving a very bad t`ste Two

years on and one of the men behind East Coast is back. Matthew Quigley

is his name. He rolled into town in 2011. One of the heat guns `t East

Coast. To start with, things went well. East Coast supply par`medics

and then started running and balances. They recruited drhvers

with post advertised in the job centre. I thought it was gohng to be

something good. This job cale up and the wage was really good. I was

delighted. Drivers were recruited, trained and ready for work. We

turned up at the East Coast ambulance headquarters and ht was a

parking space. The first dax we went out, the balloons would not start.

Why have substandard vehiclds that were not properly equipped to run

members of the public around in Because behind the scenes the wagon

wheels had come off. There was a wrangle over invoices. East Coast's

contract was terminated. Thdy would tell us anything, mostly by e`mail.

You could not get hold of anyone on the phone. I did not care about what

was going on, I just wanted my wages that I had worked for. I had

nothing. Financially, I was in Paris to because I had to go cap hn hand

to my partner. `` I was embarrassed. I had to ask mx father

for money. He is a pensioner. They have no choice, they had to call in

the law. Eight drivers took the company to court and won ?24,00 in

unpaid wages. Meanwhile, Debbie Surman dog into Matthew Quigley s

past. There is a paper trail that leads back to all the peopld he has

dealt with. I am an ordinarx person who wanted to find out who H was

dealing with. What she found out about Matthew Quigley was straight

out of the movies. He was involved in a string of private ambulance

companies that went belly up owing the NHS and you and me tens of

thousands of pounds. He has been in the game a long time. First there

was Medi`Logistics. It coll`psed in 2006, owing millions, including

?67,000 to the NHS. Matthew Quigley walked away just days beford the

end. His next company went the same way and again he quit days before it

fell apart. He was cleared `nd cropped in 2007. Game over? No. He

was back at the table with Dvolved Medical Services, a third private

ambulance company. It also went down, leaving more than ?3 lillion

in bets. Graphic designer Lhsa Kew was owed money. For a period it went

fine and then there were waves of it not going fine and again, that

company folded. He owed me puite a lot of money. She was owed 3500

pounds in unpaid bills and he disappeared, or so she taught. He

had the nerve to call and s`y what I do more branding for another

company. I told him he must be joking. Remember, this all happened

before my Matthew Quigley c`me to Newcastle. What checks had they done

behind the people behind East Coast? In hindsight, I wish we had done

more detailed checks. One wd investigated, we found out there was

a whole catalogue of issues. It is not rocket science. I understand

what you are saying. I wish the team had known about his past. What steps

have been taken to warn the rest of the NHS? I have spoken to the

finance team. However, therd is more that I could have done. Back in the

wild West, Matthew Quigley has turned up again, touting for

business online. I posed as a wealthy investor. He told md there

was a company for cell in the North East. Not surprisingly, Matthew did

not want to speak to the re`l me. He told me he was not investing in the

North East. However, what about his creditors? He said there were no

losses and he blamed the delise of these posts on another director

When it comes to Matthew Quhgley, you're not going to do business with

him again, you? No, absolutdly not. We would like to have a verx long

chat with him about his conduct and professional ethics and how he

treats people who are trying to make an honest living, and how c`n he

sleep at night? The industrx is now related by the Care Quality

Commission. We asked them for an interview, but they declined. I ll

how from the Department of Health also did not want to be intdrviewed,

but he said the CQC now has powers to remove directors who are keen to

be unfit. The real test is hf someone else tries it on. Whll they

be run out of town? It is great when you respond to our

show. There are some things you keep contacting us about, includhng a

couple of dog breeders. We have received complaints about them for

years, so we thought it was time to open our case files again.

This one comes round again `nd again. I have two big probldms in

County Durham. Problem one ` Darran Green. In 2005, we caught hhm

bringing puppies from Ireland to sell. People said the dogs they

bought from his family were ill or worse still. We only had hil for

about six hours, from start to finish, before he died. We `rranged

to to buy a puppy from Darr`n's stepson Robert Emberson. Thdn this

happened. Nice guy. Then thdre's problem two. Kevin Knox. For five

years, customers have been telling us he's... An idiot. Among other

things. We investigated him twice in 2010. He'd sold many sick ptppies

too. I was just crying my exes out, I couldn't believe it. So what are

these men up to now? Word is that Knox is sill selling sick and

diseased puppies. And Darren Green's dogs? They are dangerous or could be

dangerous in the wrong hands. I'm back in County Durham, to

investigate Knox and Green. I have one question. Why can't these two

men be shut down for good? Ivy Leaf Kennels. The notorhous

business run by Kevin Knox. My case file has been growing since I first

investigated him. The latest complaint is about a puppy called

Austin. We fell in love with him straightaway, the girls absolutely

loved him. But within days of bringing him home from Kevin Knox's

kennels, Austin took a turn for the worse. I went with my husband, took

him to the vet's. She took one look at him, he was very limp, she took

one look and said he's very very poorly. The vet said Austin had

symptoms of an illness similar to the deadly and infectious

Parvovirus. We had to put hhm to sleep. How did that affect

everybody? Horrendous. We wdre just absolutely gutted, the girls were

heart broken, we were heartbroken. It was really hard. In all, how long

did you have Austin? Seven days but we only had him home with us for

five. Every sick dog sold by Ivy Leaf

Kennels means a family emothonally distraught. Mickey had so m`ny

illnesses, he had to be rehomed Bobby had to be shaved bald to treat

a severe skin infection. And Mollie's problems have left her

owners with vets' bills of lore than ?7,000. Customers say Kevin Knox

runs a pile 'em high, sell 'em cheap operation. There was loads of

different breeds, so alarm bells started going. Charlotte botght a

beagle, Tetley. Then later went back for another,

Petal, because she felt sorry for the dogs at Ivy Leaf. Both have had

a catalogue of problems. Tetley has digestion issues and he was full of

worms when we got him. Petal, she's had a lot of problems, weepx eyes,

she can't sniff or breathe properly. She has a dodgy defect in hdr paw.

So with all this evidence, surely Knox has been shut down. No? No In

fact, it's boom time for Kevin Knox. A bonanza. Local newspapers

advertise his puppies. Marc Abraham is a vet who campaigns against puppy

farms. He took a look at Knox's website.

There are many levels as to why this sort of website is disturbing. The

last thing you expect to sed from a responsible breeder is a shopping

basket icon. There's a Payp`l, there's a Google checkout.

Everything on this website hs about selling high volume puppies. In my

opinion, he's an irresponsible puppy seller.

We've asked Kevin Knox many times for an interview. This time, again,

Kevin Knox declined our offdr. He points out he's fully licensed as a

pet shop. He said that all his puppies are constantly monitored and

checked by a veterinary surgeon before they're handed over. Mr Knox

says that even in the most well regulated businesses, there are

certain unforeseen events that can and do happen.

So can Kevin Knox be stopped? Two Facebook campaign groups ard trying

to ask the authorities to step in. So what happens when people complain

to the RSPCA? They weren't willing to go in and investigate thdmselves.

They were wanting me to go hn. They asked me if I could pretend to buy a

puppy and secretly film it. So can't the council step in? Well,

Durham County Council actually gives Kevin Knox's business a helping

hand. By allowing him both ` dog breeders' licence. And a pet shop

licence. Durham County Council should be absolutely ashamed. Not

only is this going on in thdir own area, but they've been alerted to

it, they have been given intelligence about it. It's there

for all to see. I'm chasing the council and the RSPCA. So Kdvin Knox

is still trading. Meanwhile, what about my other problem ` Darran

Green? I've had a tip off that even the police have been helping his

business. This line of enquhry begins in the village of Toft Hill.

And a complaint about anothdr puppy. We got half way home before she

started bleeding from her rdar end and we went straight to the vets

with her. That puppy was Alhce the bassett hound. Bought in December

2012 for Sherrill's family. A dog that'll be visiting the vets for

life, not just for Christmas. She's such a tiny dog. She should be twice

the weight she is. She's got a chronic bowel condition. Solething I

suspect she was born with which has resulted in her not being able to

digest her food properly. Sherrill and her daughter Kirsty facd a

heartbreaking decision. Keep Alice on medication for the rest of her

life? Or have her put to sldep? If we can't get her where she's not

suffering, then it's no quality of life and as a responsible pdt owner

you think it's time you part with them. Absolutely furious. To see

that a puppy's in so much p`in, but that the adults around it are

suffering as well. So where did they get Alice? From Jodie Green.

Daughter of Consett dog dealer Darran Green. Sherrill met Darran

Green when she bought the ptppy Mr Darran Green, there lies another

tale! The man has attitude to burn! Sang the praises of his bredding of

rottweilers. Rottweilers? Hang on a minute?

Darran Green was always known to me for selling sick puppies. Btt this

is more his style nowadays. Steinhugle Rottweilers. Darran

Green's latest venture. What a combination! A breed dogged by a bad

reputation. And a man who's just the same. I've spoken with many

Rottweiler breeders across the north who have concerns. This bredder

would only talk anonymously. Up and down the country, most of them have

heard of Darran Green. The breed doesn't need people like hil.

Darran Green operates out of a modest terraced house in Ivdston

near Consett. And his website explains it all. He imports

Rottweilers from Germany. They're bred for security work.

They have a bigger temperamdnt if I can put like that. Most of them are

better suited outside, to an outside environment, in kennels and they

need to be worked. Where thdy perhaps aren't worked, aren't

exercised, that's when they become a ticking time bomb. We've he`rd

concerns Darran has sold dogs to people who aren't trained to handle

them. We've had about four or five people contact us, they've `ll been

with aggression/behavioural problems, unable to handle this

rottweiler from Darran Green. It's not the first time I've heard that.

Remember Sherrill Cockburn's chance meeting with Green? I was jtst

talking to him. And I had mx hand on the wall and the Rottweiler jumped

up and snacked at my fingers! He didn't tell it to bite me, no. It

just felt the need! I've bedn contacted by someone else who says

they were bitten by one of Darran Green's dogs. Two victims. @nd it

gets worse. I've got hold of an email. It's from an estate `gent who

went to the farm the Greens were renting. So they received a warm

welcome? On arrival at the property. I was told by Mrs Green not to get

out of the car as I would bd bitten by one of the dogs. With all the

recent headlines about dog `ttacks, this is worrying. But it's hard to

keep tabs on Darran Green's dogs because he's a proven liar. Nine

years ago, I'd heard he sold dogs with false registration doctments.

Well, now he has a criminal record. I've just been looking at the court

records and they make for interesting reading. Becausd in

2011, Darren Green pleaded guilty to three charges under the unf`ir

trading regulations. In a nttshell, he claimed his dogs were registered

with the Kennel Club when they weren't. Darran Green was fhned by

the court and banned from registering dogs with the Kdnnel

Club until 2018. So you might be surprised about what I've

discovered. I've had a tip off that worries me. Apparently, the family

business has been supported by not one but two police forces. Xears

after I investigated Darran and his step`son and got some aggro for my

troubles, Northumbria Policd actually paid Darran ?1,500 for

services to do with dogs. Then last year, after Darran and his wife had

criminal records over their dog dealing, Cleveland Police actually

bought the dog in this video. But they paid the Greens' daughter,

Jodie, ?900. Why would the police help the family business? Cleveland

Police say the welfare of their dogs is paramount and they carry out

checks to make sure dogs ard suitable for police work.

Northumbria Police said thex hired Darran Green once for whelphng

puppies, because there wasn't anyone else who could do it. They'd carried

out a visit here to his kennels at the time and told us the prdmises

and services offered at that particular time were deemed

satisfactory to the immediate needs of the organisation. But surely the

big question is should someone like Darran Green be allowed to sell

specialist security dogs? Thme to go undercover. This is James. He's a

wide boy who wants a dog to do a job. He has young kids. In short,

he's about the most inappropriate owner of a working Rottweildr you

can ever imagine. He's going to Darran Green's house with a view to

buying a puppy. Darran Green doesn't turn hhm away.

Instead, he shows James two bitches that are about to give birth.

Remember, Darran is banned from the Kennel Club.

He's not allowed to register any litters in his name.

James asks some more logical questions.

Yeah, perfect temperament then( ) he tells you it's OK if it kills you as

long as there's a good reason for killing you.

It's OK if it kills you as long as there's a good reason for khlling

you. David Davies is a formdr police dog handler and a professional dog

trainer. He knows how rottwdilers like Darran Green's should

Do you think, in this instance, Darran Green was acting responsibly?

I didn't hear any hard sell or anything like that, but I thought it

was appalling to be perfectly truthful. So if someone camd to you

and said they're after a dog to provide some security, but they have

kids in the house and, oh bx the way I know nothing about dogs, what

would you do? Ask them to go and buy a cat. Darran Green, Kevin Knox We

wanted to ask the authoritids what they are doing about these len.

Firstly, the RSPCA. We cont`cted them on the 5th of February. And the

sixth. The 10th. And 11th and 1 th. Until on the 17th, they told us they

wouldn't be interviewed. Thdy say anyone worried about dog brdeders

should go to the council first. The RSPCA told us, as long as pdople are

prepared to hand over their money for a puppy that has been bred with

profit in mind, it will continue. They said where they had evhdence

that animals are suffering, they will investigate. The RSPCA wouldn't

comment directly on either Knox or Green. They'd only comment on

individuals if they'd deciddd to prosecute. And when we asked them if

they expected members of thd public to secretly film for them, we were

stonewalled. They never answered the question. We also wanted an

interview with Durham Countx Council. We asked them on the fourth

February. On the fifth. On the 0th, the 11th and the 12th. On the 1 th,

they said they wouldn't spe`k with me. Instead, they too, sent a

statement. They told us Kevhn Knox is inspected every year to dnsure

that the conditions attached to the licences are being complied with.

They say they investigate every complaint about mis`selling or about

dogs that are ill and have `lways responded appropriately basdd on the

nature of the issue raised `nd evidence provided. They say their

records do not show large ntmbers of complaints about Knox or Grden.

Durham County Council brought the 2011 criminal charges against Darran

and his wife Heather. They've since advised him and his associates of

the legal responsibilities hn relation to selling animals to

ensure compliance with the Consumer Protection from Unfair Tradhng

Regulations In order for thd council to take action regarding alleged

breaches of the criminal law they would need to be in a posithon to

prove matters beyond reason`ble doubt.

Darran Green himself has always avoided our questions. So wd had no

choice but to catch him unawares. We've called Darran Green to a

meeting. He thinks he's going to be selling me some dogs. In fact, after

nine years of waiting, this will be the showdown.

I'm from BBC Television. I'l wondering why it is that yot are

involved in the selling of aggressive dogs? Never sold an

aggressive dog in my life. Never? Never. But you boast about how some

of your dogs are nasty, thex'd have you straightaway. I never s`y

anything like that. What about the Kennel Club registration ` xou're

banned, how can they be Kennel Club registered? Which dogs? The ones

you're selling to people. You're saying they're registered in your

name. Did I say that? Yeah. No, no. Your name or one of your falily

members' names. I didn't sax that, that's definitely not true. Isn t it

irresponsible to not ask questions...? What's irresponsible

is the fact that you try to hassle me, bombard me, cause me grhef for

having what is probably the most highly trained dogs in the TK.

Obviously, you're going to `ir something. Are you going to air in a

fair manner or do whatever xou've done in the past and make md look

the bad one? And finally he left me with some life advice. In ftture, be

a man. Just be a man in futtre. Ring me up and say, "Darran, can we have

a talk?" This is pathetic bdhaviour. The type of scumbags you ard. So we

did ring him up and asked, "Darran can we have a talk?" He declined our

offer of an interview. In the nine years I've been investigating this,

not once have any of the authorities agreed to be interviewed. Not the

council, not the police, not the RSPCA. Of course, I'll pass my

evidence to them ` again ` but the question is will they act?

On my blog, I've more on public bodies paid for by you and le who

seem ever more reluctant to answer my questions on camera. Fortunately,

I can always rely on you to come up with ideas and suggestions for the

topics we should cover. You'd be surprised how many stories start off

as a call or email from you. So keep them coming, contacts details are on

the blog. That brings us to the end of the show and the current series.

We'll be back a little later on in the year, so keep an eye out for us.

Until then from all the Inshde Out team here in the North East

andCumbria, take care and sde you soon. Till then from Sunderland

goodnight. Hello. The 92nd update. The Oscar

Pistorius trial has begun