Mr Eric Sykes received a 10 year disqualification from greyhound racing (with five years suspended pending no further breaches of LR18.5 GAR 86 (af) and any other rule relating to live baiting or animal welfare generally) following a hearing at the independent Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board (RADB) on Friday.

Mr Sykes was charged by GRV Stewards under Local Rule 18.5 for the exciting of a greyhound with a live rabbit.

GRV Stewards argued for a substantial period of disqualification at the hearing.

The RADB judgement stated in determining the penalty “regard was given to his (Mr Sykes’) early guilty plea, undoubted remorse, a blameless industry involvement over forty years and supportive references.”

The disqualification is effective from Thursday 19 February 2015.

Mr Sykes is the second Victorian trainer disqualified for actions at the Tooradin Trial Track following the life ban handed to Irish trainer Chris Connolly earlier this month.

The RADB has deferred its decision on penalty in the case of Mr Anthony Mills who was found guilty of live baiting at a hearing in June.

The full RADB judgement can be found here: RADB DECISION