Reality TV star Jack Fincham has been freed on bail as he appeals his six week jail sentence for a dog attack.
The winner of Love Island, who is 32 years old, admitted the charge at Southend-on-Sea Magistrates’ Court today. This followed an incident in Swanley, Kent, in September 2022, where his black Cane Corso harmed runner Robert Sudell.
Fincham was charged with two offenses related to having an out-of-control dog. Another incident involving a woman took place in Grays, Essex, in June 2024, but there were no reports of injury on that occasion.
During the reading of the verdict, Fincham’s girlfriend, Chloe Brockett, who has an on-off relationship with him, became emotional and had to be escorted out of the courtroom by his family members who were also present.
He was also asked to pay £3680 to the courts. This includes a £200 compensation fee to Robert Sudell and a £50 compensation fee to a second victim.
A payment plan was set up for Fincham to pay £400 per month upon release from jail.
His lawyer later confirmed that he had been released on bail pending appeal, effective immediately, following his sentencing.
Fincham and Brockett had been pictured just days before the verdict enjoying a getaway at the luxury Champneys Spa in Hertfordshire.
Fincham originally shot to fame after winning the 2018 iteration of reality TV show Love Island alongside Dani Dyer, daughter of actor Danny Dyer.
Love Island winner Jack Fincham pictured with his Cane Corso dog
Fincham and on-off girlfriend Chloe Brockett were seen enjoying a spa break together just days before the verdict was delivered
Fincham’s girlfriend Chloe Brockett broke down in tears upon hearing the magistrates verdict
Fincham originally shot to fame after winning the 2018 iteration of reality TV show Love Island alongside Dani Dyer , daughter of actor Danny Dyer
In September 2022 Fincham’s dog, named Elvis, attacked a runner and bit him. Originally the victim was willing to accept an apology and a caution, where Fincham would engage in responsibility on dog ownership course.
This would be to ensure he abided by three stipulations; keep the dog on the lead, for the dog to wear a muzzle when outside and to not leave the animal alone with anyone under the age of 16.
However, there was another incident in June 2024, where Elvis grabbed the leg and ‘applied pressure’ to the calf of a woman.
This incident occurred when Fincham was three months into his suspended sentence for drug driving.
Other things taken into consideration by the magistrates were photos posted by Fincham on Facebook showing him having taken Elvis to the pub in Kent, without a muzzle or a lead on, in breach of his conditions.
At the time Fincham claimed that because the pub was dog-friendly he did not think it would be an issue.
Ms Anne Wade said on sentencing: ‘Some responsibility has been taken for his actions and note some compliance with probation.’
Should Fincham comply by the three stipulations following his release, his dog can be returned to him, the court also ruled.
Speaking afterwards, Sergeant Alex Watkins said: ‘Owners have to take responsibility for their dogs, and on these occasions this dog was dangerously out of control.
‘On both occasions the owner was given a chance to rectify their behaviour with words of advice and a conditional caution – however failed to do so, resulting in this sentencing.
‘I thank both victims for their courage during this investigation.’
Fincham previously came under fire from his Instagram followers for purchasing the dog from Russia in 2021 because of its cropped ears
In one incident, in Grays, Essex, in June last year, the dog, a hulking Black Cane Corso, caused no injury
But on the second occasion, in Fincham’s hometown of Swanley, Kent, in September 2022, the dog is alleged to have injured a man named Robert Sudell, according to court documents
This latest controversy is another legal blow for the former reality star, who previously sparked a backlash for importing Elvis from Russia in 2021 due to the dog’s cropped ears – an illegal practice in the UK. Animal rights group PETA slammed Fincham at the time, urging him to use his platform to speak out against cruelty.
Despite the criticism, Fincham has publicly defended his pet, recently sharing a photo on Instagram with the caption: ‘My best friend in the whole world. Have a story to tell you very soon. Sometimes I think this country is done honestly.’
The former pen salesman also has a history of flouting driving laws, having been convicted of drug driving just five months before his latest offence. He was banned for three years in October 2022 after being caught behind the wheel under the influence.
In March, Fincham was spared jail after speeding his £50,000 car during a cocaine binge.
He was behind the wheel of his BMW 520D driving down the hard shoulder of the A2 in Kent when he was stopped by police.
Fincham later admitted drug driving and driving without due care and attention.
He also pleaded guilty to driving without insurance and using false number plates.
Fincham, who won the ITV show’s 2018 series with Dani Dyer, told the court he was ‘driving angry’ to see a friend ‘who was in a bad way’ in August 2023.
He was given a 12-week sentence suspended for 18 months.
He was also disqualified from getting behind the wheel until October 2029 and must complete 250 hours of unpaid work.
The drug-driving conviction was Fincham’s second in five months after he was banned from driving for three years the previous October.
Fincham’s estranged father Mark Gard has also previously spent time behind bars after he was convicted for distributing cocaine around the country.
Fincham had been due to appear on a boxing card in Harrow at the start of March
Fincham previously fought on the undercard of Floyd Mayweather and Youtuber Deji
Away from his reality TV exploits, Fincham has previously dabbled in the sport of boxing.
Having previously taken part on the undercard of Floyd Mayweather’s bout against Youtuber Deji in 2022, Fincham was due to fight again in a special exhibition in Harrow at the beginning of March.
Following that 2022 fight, Fincham spoke of how he went into ‘self destruct mode’ by partying for 18 months.
‘I went into complete self destruct mode. I was already battling with addiction, at the time I was going into that fight. I was battling addiction quite secretly for a few years, as well’, he told Amber O’Donnell.
‘I was out every weekend, you know, taking drugs and drinking and just doing things that have lost me jobs, lost me friends. I’d always fall back on my family. But I think even they got to a point where they were too sick of hearing it’, he added.
In an attempt to combat these destructive habits, Fincham entered rehab after becoming addicted to cocaine and diazepam pills.
Speaking to the Sun at the time, Fincham confessed: ‘Death was on the cards for me, it was imminent.’
