CONVICTED (2016|) | George Clark, born 5 July 1996, then of Seaton Avenue, Aberdeen AB24 1XA and more recently (2022) of Brierfield House, Ashgrove, Aberdeen AB16 5AF – branded a “danger to animals” after throwing a parrot around in a drink and drug-fuelled rage.
Clark spent New Year’s Eve drinking and taking legal highs before returning to his home in Aberdeen and lashing out.
The thug’s mother was woken up at about 3.45am after he ripped his bedroom door off its hinges and threw it through his bedroom window.
When she went to investigate the cause of commotion, she caught him throwing his parrot’s cage across the living room – with the distressed pet still inside.
As the woman tried to stop him inflicting further injury on the bird, Clark slapped her across the face and pushed her backwards, causing her to fall to the floor.
And when she subsequently fled to his sister’s nearby home, Clark proceeded to smash a brick through the living room window.
When the police arrived at the scene later that morning, the then 19-year-old gave them a false name in an attempt to avoid being detained.
Clark admitted admitted recklessly destroying property at the two addresses and assaulting his mum. He further admitted causing the parrot unnecessary harm and attempting to pervert the course of justice.
Sheriff Alison Stirling told Clark: “Given your behaviour in that you threw a parrot in a cage about you are not an animal lover.
“You’re a danger to animals.”
And when Clark asked from the dock if he could still walk his dog the sheriff said he was to have nothing to do with his pets, who will now be looked after by his mum.
Scottish SPCA chief inspector John Carle said: “We hope Mr Clark will reflect on his behaviour and the consequences of his actions following this case.”
Sentencing | community payback order with 80 hours of unpaid work, 12-month supervision order; banned from owning or keeping and pets for six years (expired April 2022).
Update | October 2022
Clark was jailed for 15 months after battering and robbing a man before stamping on his head when he had nothing left to steal.
The court heard the victim had gone out to “source drugs” at a property on Gerrard Street, Aberdeen, when he was attacked.
Clark demanded property from the man and searched his pockets, before taking his wallet and its contents.
Clark pleaded guilty to assault to injury and robbery.
Defence agent David Sutherland said his client accepted that custody was “inevitable”, and that a court-ordered social work report was “not the most positive of reports”.
He added: “No remorse has been expressed.”
Mr Sutherland added: “Drugs have been his downfall.”
