Former Love Island winner Jack Fincham beamed as he successfully overturned his six-week jail sentence after appealing against his conviction for owning a dangerously out-of-control dog.
The reality TV star was originally sentenced in January 2025 after his black Cane Corso, Elvis, injured runner Robert Sudell in Swanley, Kent, in September 2022.
The 32-year-old looked miserable as he carried an overnight bag while facing a prison sentence before he emerged from court beaming with joy following his reprieve.
He spoke only to confirm his name and was wearing a long brown overcoat with a light brown cardigan underneath.
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.
As part of his original sentence passed at the magistrates’ court, Fincham was ordered to pay £3,680, including a £2,000 contribution to kennelling costs, a fine of £961 and £200 compensation to Mr Sudell.
Richard Cooper, for Fincham, said that the dog incident in June 2024 happened when Fincham had ‘just moved to the property and was bringing boxes in from the car – while he did so the dog slipped out’.
The court had initially handed Fincham a custodial sentence, citing his failure to comply with conditions set after the first attack, including keeping Elvis on a lead and wearing a muzzle.
However, Fincham’s legal team successfully argued that immediate imprisonment was too harsh.
Jack Fincham, who smiled as the appeal was upheld, will no longer have to serve time in prison. He is pictured beaming with happiness as he leaves court
Fincham, pictured arriving at Basildon Crown Court today, has won his appeal against a six-week jail sentence
Fincham is pictured (right) arriving to court with a friend and overnight bag this morning
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 three 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.
The former Love Island star had been facing jail time after his Cane Corso dog, Elvis (pictured), attacked a runner
Fincham is seen leaving Basildon Crown Court after he is spared prison
When Fincham’s Cane Corso attacked and bit the runner, the victim was originally willing to accept an apology and a caution
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.’
When Fincham’s Cane Corso attacked and bit the runner, the victim was originally willing to accept an apology and a caution.
As a result, the 32-year-old would have to engage in a course on responsible dog ownership and abide by three conditions – keep the dog on a lead, for the canine to wear a muzzle when outside and for the animal not to be left alone with under 16s.
Fincham shot to fame after winning the 2018 series of Love Island alongside Dani Dyer, daughter of actor Danny Dyer
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’
However, there was another incident in June 2024, where Elvis grabbed the leg and ‘applied pressure’ to the calf of a woman.
The incident transpired when Fincham was three months into his suspended sentence, which he had been given for drug driving.
Fincham’s estranged father Mark Gard has also previously spent time behind bars after he was convicted for distributing cocaine around the country.
Away from his reality TV exploits, Fincham has previously dabbled in the sport of boxing.
He previously took part on the undercard of Floyd Mayweather’s bout against Youtuber Deji in 2022.
Following that 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.’
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.’
