AN undercover reporter has been posthumously awarded the RSPCA’s highest honour for cracking a dog-fighting ring.

Stephen Ibinson’s parents told The Northern Echo yesterday how proud they are of their son, who grew up in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham.

The 33-year-old, known as Ibbo, died from a massive heart attack in Afghanistan in April last year, where he was investigating the country’s opium industry.

He has been given the Richard Martin Gold Award after spending 18 months undercover to expose organised dog fights in Northern Ireland. It later became Bafta award-winning BBC Panorama programme The Farmers’ Boys.

His father, also called Stephen Ibinson, said his son, an animal lover, would value the RSPCA award more.

“We’re very proud of what he has done,” he said.

“I was so pleased that he was given this award.

“He was very proud of the awards he got with the BBC, but this would have meant more to him.

“It is not very often they give the gold award.”

Mr Ibinson’s father, 72, is recovering from a kidney transplant operation, and lives in Ashfield with his mother, Sandra, 64.

Both are former councillors.

Mr Ibinson was married to Marion. They had three children – Aaron, 17, Levi, 12, and Grace, four.

His wife, also an animal lover, has run the Dublin Marathon in aid of the RSPCA.

Mr and Mrs Ibinson, both retired, treasure their West Highland terriers Bonnie and Tess, which their son saved from a puppy farm.

“We’re very proud that he was given this award,” said his mother.

“It was very risky and it upset him very much, but he always wanted to do something for the dogs.”

The BBC film led to an RSPCA probe of potential gang members, who included Yarm couple Gary and Jane Adamson.

RSPCA chief executive Mark Watts, said: “The RSPCA is here for the greater good of animal welfare and these awards recognise the amazing people who are integral to the success of the society.

“They have transformed the lives of many, many animals and are a true inspiration to us all.”

The former Para was also recruited by the Belfast Telegraph, the News of the World, worked to have sex criminals identified on their release from jail and risked his life going undercover among gangs of neo-Nazi thugs.