Monkey torture ringleader jailed for over three years
Bartosz Poklek, 30, from Bexley, admitted running a large-scale network distributing videos of animal abuse.
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Bartosz Poklek, 30, from Bexley in south-east London, has been sentenced to three years and three months in prison at Woolwich Crown Court. He pleaded guilty to running a large-scale monkey torture ring between June 2023 and September 2025. The network distributed videos of animal abuse, with some footage selling for hundreds of pounds. Poklek also admitted to publishing obscene videos for gain, possession of indecent images of children, and possession of ketamine.
A global network of abuse
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The court heard that Poklek played a leading role in an international online community dedicated to the torture and killing of monkeys for entertainment. He managed online chat groups, distributed thousands of images and videos, and wrote scripts detailing how the animals should be harmed and killed. Some videos sold for up to £370, and Poklek directed the production and distribution of "abuse on demand" content. The abuse, primarily involving macaque monkeys in south-east Asia, sometimes saw animals dressed as babies before being attacked, raising concerns that they were being used as proxies for child victims in sadistic abuse material.
Judge Christopher Grout described the case as one of the most horrific instances of animal abuse he had encountered. He noted the existence of a "vile underground community" that takes pleasure in seeing monkeys, particularly baby monkeys, tortured and killed. The judge stated that the current five-year maximum sentence for animal cruelty was too low, suggesting this case demonstrated that fact. Poklek was captured after attempting to obtain court documents related to a monkey torture case in the US.
Investigation and next steps
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The investigation involved a collaboration between British police forces, including the National Wildlife Crime Unit, the Metropolitan Police, and West Mercia Police, alongside US Homeland Security Investigations and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Poklek will be eligible for release after serving approximately one-third of his sentence, as per the Sentencing Act 2026. The judge urged Parliament to consider increasing the maximum penalties for animal abuse offences.
Alexia Nicol, representing Poklek, told the court that he found it difficult to explain his involvement, suggesting he sought "kudos" as an organiser while isolated and using drugs. Adeolu Odusote of the Crown Prosecution Service highlighted Poklek's role as a "key cog" in the trade and thanked domestic and international partners for their assistance in building the prosecution.
Questions this report answers
+How long has Bartosz Poklek been jailed for?
Bartosz Poklek has been sentenced to three years and three months in prison at Woolwich Crown Court. He admitted to running a large-scale monkey torture ring between June 2023 and September 2025.
+What did the monkey torture ring do?
The network distributed horrific videos of monkeys being tortured and killed, with some footage selling for hundreds of pounds. Poklek wrote scripts for how the animals should be harmed and directed the production of abuse material.
+What did the judge say about sentencing?
Judge Christopher Grout described the case as exceptionally horrific and called for longer sentences for animal abuse. He stated that the current five-year maximum penalty was too low, citing this case as evidence.
+Which organisations were involved in the investigation?
The investigation was a joint effort involving British police from the National Wildlife Crime Unit, the Metropolitan Police, and West Mercia Police, alongside officials from US Homeland Security Investigations and the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
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