Jack Fincham, a former winner of Love Island, has successfully challenged and reversed his six-week prison term by appealing his conviction for owning a dog that was deemed dangerously out of control.
The 32-year-old celebrity, known for his appearances on reality TV, had been given the sentence in January 2025 following an incident in Swanley, Kent, in September 2022 where his Cane Corso dog, named Elvis, attacked a runner named Robert Sudell.
However, following today’s hearing, Fincham will no longer have to serve time in prison.
Instead his 18-month suspended sentence for a drug-driving offence in March 2024, has been extended by three months.
Fincham, who had pleaded guilty to the charge, faced two separate incidents involving his dog.
The first attack left Mr. Sudell with an injury, while a second incident in June 2024 saw a woman’s calf grabbed – though no injury was reported.
Initially, the court had imposed a jail term on Fincham due to his failure to adhere to the conditions specified after the dog’s first attack, which included requirements such as keeping Elvis leashed and muzzled.
However, Fincham’s legal team successfully argued that immediate imprisonment was too harsh.
Jack Fincham, pictured here outside Basildon Crown Court today, has won his appeal against a six-week jail sentence
The former Love Island star had been facing jail time after his cane corso dog, Elvis (pictured), attacked a runner
Richard Cooper defending said: ‘It is a stupid thing as a result of a lack of attention to detail. He should’ve made enquiries [before taking his dog to the pub unleashed].
‘These are problems of his own making but there has been remarkable progress by Mr Fincham through his own volition and hard work.
‘He struck rock bottom three years ago without work, he found himself indulging in alcohol and drugs regularly.
‘His work dried up. But it is to his credit what he has done to put that right. He has engaged councillors. He has returned to a 9-5 job which doesn’t trade on anything but hard work. He has returned to boxing.’
The appeal’s success means Fincham will now avoid jail but must still comply with strict conditions regarding Elvis. These include ensuring the dog is always muzzled and leashed in public and not left alone with anyone under 16.
Samanth Leigh, said as she passed her judgement: ‘We agree that the activation of the suspended sentence was not just. We will replace that with a 3 months extension to your suspended sentence. It would not be appropriate to change other sentence that was imposed.’
She added: ‘Mr Fincham you need to be very careful now. It is never the fault of the dog, it is always the owners fault.’
In March, Fincham was spared jail after speeding his £50,000 car during a cocaine binge.
Jack Fincham, pictured here (right) outside court with a friend this morning, had his lawyers argue that an immediate prison sentence was too harsh
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. This has now been extended for three months.
Sergeant Alex Watkins of Essex Police issued a statement following the ruling:
‘Owners must take responsibility for their dogs, and on these occasions, the dog was dangerously out of control. However, we accept the court’s decision today and hope Mr. Fincham will now take the necessary precautions.’
The ruling marks a significant win for Fincham, who has faced multiple legal battles in recent years.
Despite past controversies, Fincham has continued to defend his pet. He previously faced backlash for importing Elvis from Russia in 2021, as the dog had cropped ears – a practice illegal in the UK.
At the time, animal rights activists, including PETA, condemned him, but Fincham remained defiant, referring to Elvis as ‘my best friend in the whole world.’
More to follow…
