Jack Fincham, the 32-year-old reality TV star and winner of Love Island 2018, found himself embroiled in legal trouble after his Cane Corso dog, Elvis, attacked two individuals on separate occasions. The first incident occurred in September 2022 in Swanley, Kent, where Elvis bit a runner named Robert Sudell. Following this incident, Fincham was ordered to adhere to specific conditions regarding Elvis’s handling, including keeping the dog on a lead, muzzling him in public, and not leaving him unsupervised with minors. However, despite these stipulations, a second attack occurred in June 2024 in Grays, Essex, when Elvis bit a woman’s leg. While the woman sustained no serious injuries, this second incident triggered further legal action against Fincham.
Fincham appeared before Southend Magistrates’ Court, where he pleaded guilty to being in charge of a dangerously out-of-control dog. The court, noting Fincham’s prior suspended sentence for driving offences, including speeding on the hard shoulder while under the influence of cocaine, decided to activate a portion of the suspended sentence. The magistrates sentenced Fincham to six weeks in jail, highlighting his failure to comply with the court-ordered conditions for Elvis’s ownership following the first attack. In addition to the jail sentence, Fincham was ordered to pay a total of £3,680 in compensation and other fees, with £200 going to Mr. Sudell and £50 to the second victim. A payment plan of £400 per month was established to be implemented upon his release. While initially jailed, Fincham was subsequently released on bail pending an appeal of the sentence.
Fincham’s legal team expressed disappointment with the magistrates’ decision to activate the suspended sentence and voiced optimism about the prospects of a successful appeal at the Crown Court. They believe that in the fullness of time, the Crown Court will overturn the magistrates’ ruling. The appeal process requires application to a Crown Court judge, regardless of whether the initial sentencing was handed down by magistrates. Bail can be granted in exceptional circumstances pending an appeal, though it is typically subject to specific conditions.
The court proceedings were emotionally charged, with Fincham’s on-off girlfriend, Chloe Brockett, seen weeping as he was initially taken into custody. Fincham, however, appeared more stoic, offering a thumbs-up gesture. Following his release on bail, Fincham was spotted with Brockett in Essex, where the pair shared a kiss. This public display of affection suggests a continuing relationship despite the ongoing legal challenges.
This isn’t the first time Fincham has faced public scrutiny regarding Elvis. The dog’s cropped ears have previously drawn criticism, as the practice is illegal in the UK. Fincham revealed last year that Elvis had been imported from Russia by Protection Dogs WorldWide. This detail adds another layer to the story, raising questions about the ethical implications of importing dogs with cropped ears, a practice often associated with enhancing aggression. Adding to the complexity of Fincham’s situation is his ownership of another dog, a bulldog named Sandy, acquired during his relationship with ex-girlfriend Dani Dyer.
Fincham’s relationship with Dani Dyer, daughter of actor Danny Dyer, began during their winning appearance on Love Island in 2018. However, their relationship was short-lived, ending just 129 days after leaving the villa amidst a series of disagreements. The highly publicized break-up marked a significant turning point in Fincham’s life, potentially contributing to the personal struggles that followed. Since then, Fincham has had several run-ins with the law, beginning with a drink-driving arrest in 2021. His most recent conviction for speeding while under the influence of cocaine, he claims, served as a wake-up call, prompting him to seek help through Narcotics Anonymous.
Fincham has acknowledged the need to take responsibility for his actions, admitting to a period of self-destructive behavior fueled by a lack of self-respect and disregard for the consequences of his choices. He has stated that his past mindset blinded him to the potential harm he could inflict upon himself and others. The recent dog attack incidents and the subsequent legal repercussions appear to be the latest chapter in Fincham’s ongoing struggle to navigate life after the fleeting fame of reality television. His future remains uncertain as he awaits the outcome of his appeal and continues to grapple with personal challenges.
