CONVICTED (2017) | Richard Thomas Davies, born 15/12/1984, of Cae Clyd, Llandudno LL30 1BL – flung a kitten around by her tail before hurling her into a pond and letting her drown
Alcoholic loser and cruel bastard Richard Thomas Davies who drowned a helpless kitten to punish his child
Davies admitted causing unnecessary suffering to an animal at a pond near an adventure playground in Rhyl.
Prosecutor James Neary told the court that a young girl saw the kitten in the water.
“She immediately took off her coat and went in the pond to save the kitten’s life,” he said.
“The defendant grabbed her by both arms and he was laughing and said ‘you will not have a kitten ever again’.”
Children pulled the kitten from the water and tried in vain to save it.
“The defendant seemed to find the whole situation amusing. He had a smug look on his face,” Mr Neary said.
The kitten had been promised to a girl who had already chosen a name for the pet and when seen by the police she was very upset, the prosecutor added.
2022 image of kitten killer Richard Davies. Source: Facebook
Court chairman Brian Cossey told Davies: ”This was very horrific and callous. We are appalled by what we have heard. You probably traumatised a very young vulnerable person.
“We have considered an immediate prison sentence but we have stepped back.”
A probation officer said Davies felt “sick” about his behaviour, having made no attempt to save the kitten. He was on state benefit.
Defence solicitor Dafydd Roberts said: ”This was a particularly mean offence. He’s gutted about what happened that day. It was in drink. The defendant has been blighted by alcoholism.”
However, he was now “very different” from the man who committed the unpleasant offence in August , the lawyer added.
Sentence: 12-week suspended jail term; alcohol treatment and rehabilitation; £50 compensation and £735 costs; banned from keeping an animal for five years (expired February 2022).
CONVICTED (2017) | Kieran Benjamin Fowler, born 21 August 1993, of Palm Street, Middlesbrough TS1 3EE – left his pet dog to suffer with a broken pelvis for two weeks
Fowler failed to get veterinary help for his pitbull-type dog Lizzy for two weeks after she was hit by a car.
By the time the animal was finally assessed by a vet, her pelvic canal had displaced, causing the bone to become displaced and completely shredded.
The injury was found to be inoperable and a decision was made to put her to sleep.
Fowler claimed he had done “everything he could” to save the pet but pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.
It was heard that unemployed Fowler failed to provide the necessary treatment for the dog after she slipped her lead and got knocked down in October 2016.
Prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, John Ellwood said: “The defendant took the dog to the PDSA charity because he said he couldn’t afford treatment otherwise.
“They administered pain-killing treatment for the dog on an emergency basis while the defendant was asked to provide his benefit details. They asked him to bring the dog back to them straight away but he failed to do so.
“He then waited until November 10, some 16 days after the initial meeting, to ask for further assistance.”
The court heard Fowler was asked to bring the dog back for an X-ray but again failed to show and so the case was reported to the RSPCA.
Mr Ellwood continued: “His perception was that he would have had to pay a reduced rate but wanted to wait for his benefits so he could receive the treatment for free.”
John Nixon, defending, said: “What is clear is that the defendant attended the PDSA on two occasions. It is clear there were financial issues as a result of which he was not able to receive treatment. He is a young man living alone with no family for support and so the potential costs were completely and utterly beyond his ability to pay.”
Mr Nixon added that although the dog had sustained the injury, it did not vocalise any pain and there was no evidence of dehydration when assessed.
“My client showed every intention to seek treatment but was not able to pass the financial test to get the required treatment.”
District Judge Mr Lawrence said: “I am satisfied the defendant took every step to care for Lizzy, but was confused about what he was entitled to financially.
“Although the dog sustained a fractured pelvis, this was only a short term of neglect.”
Sentencing: fined £300 and ordered to pay £330 in court costs. No ban.
#MostEvil | Franky Jay Mills (aka Franky Webb), born 18/05/1997, with a most recent (2020) known address of Gloster Road, Woking GU22 9EU, but with links to Godalming and Farncombe- used a £5,000 air rifle to shoot at least eight pet cats, killing one and maiming others.
Cat killer Franky Mills pleaded guilty to 14 offences and was jailed for 24 months
Injuries suffered by evil Franky Mills’ eight victims included lost eyes, an amputated leg and bisected spleen – and one of the animals died.
The court heard that Mills, a traveller, drove around the Cranleigh and Guildford area in March and April 2016, allowing another as yet unidentified person to shoot the cats with an air rifle.
Mills pleaded guilty to 14 charges, seven of which were offences of criminal damage valued at more than £5,000, relating to the cat attacks, and another seven counts of possessing a firearm – namely a 0.22 air rifle.
Mills’ defence barrister, Ian Wilkinson, said the teenager was an “extremely damaged man”, with his background being from the travelling community.
“Clearly what Mills was involved in was a horrible thing, we do not suggest anything otherwise,” he said.
“He inflicted pain on animals, and caused a great deal of distress emotionally, and financially. He is in no way able to change what he has done. An apology seems rather trifle at this time.
“The only way he can make amends is to lead a law abiding life, and not behave in such an appalling way in the future.”
He continued: “He felt peer pressure, wanting to be part of that group, part of the travelling community. He could have been braver, and said no, but he didn’t.”
Judge Jonathan Black said that he sentenced Mills on the fact that he was the person driving around the area, who “found a suitable target and stopped, allowing a passenger to shoot the cats – using his own air weapon”.
“This was a joint enterprise, you played a full part in injuring these animals,” he said.
The court heard no names of others who were involved in the shooting of the cats.
The judge continued: “You caused a high degree of suffering. One cat had its leg amputated, two had eyes removed, and one was put to sleep.
“These cats were much loved, children who had been brought up with them witnessed the injuries. They have been traumatised due to your cruel and callous behaviour.
“It’s clear yours was a difficult upbringing, but you have demonstrated you are someone capable of doing well in the future. Your start in life has not led you here today.”
Speaking after the sentence, Sergeant Paul Eden, who investigated the case, said Mills was not the only person involved in the shootings.
He said: “As officer in the case, seeing all the evidence, I firmly believe while he was the main protagonist, he was not the only person responsible in this joint enterprise.”
Sergeant Eden continued: “Franky Mills was the owner of the vehicle used at the time and it was definitely his air weapon.
“We managed to prove, we even had to exhume one of the cats to get the evidence where we extracted the pellet and matched to his rifle, so we could say beyond reasonable doubt that it was his gun which had been shooting these cats.
“He was driving around, and we believe, he stated, that he pulled up alongside and allowed his passengers to shoot it.
“So although he wasn’t claiming to be the trigger puller, clearly he must have known what his friends were doing because he was enabling it to happen by stopping the car providing the weapon and providing the ammunition.
“So to my mind and to the law it made him as guilty as the next person.”
Sentencing: 24 months’ imprisonment. No mention of a ban.
CONVICTED (2017) | Ilisha Horner, born c. 1989, of Kinross Avenue, Middlesbrough TS3 0DL – left two shih-tzu dogs on the brink of starvation
Dog abuser Ilisha Horner tries and fails to hide from court photographers
Mother-of-four Horner was prosecuted by the RSPCA after her pets were found starved and soaked in urine.
The skeletal dogs – who had badly infected claws – were rescued by the RSPCA after they were found in their owner’s filthy home without food or water.
Horner locked the dogs, named Tilly and Missy, in the kitchen where they were forced to live in their own urine and faeces while she went out for hours.
She admitted causing unnecessary suffering to the dogs between August and September 2016.
Teesside Magistrates’ Court heard how an animal welfare officer went to the Park End home and found Tilly and Missy “extremely underweight”.
They also had matted coats and smelt of urine despite Horner telling the inspector there was “nothing wrong” with her pets.
John Ellwood, prosecuting for the RSPCA, said: “Both dogs were found to have prominent bones and matted coats covered in sticky material.
“Their coats were also matted with urine and faeces.”
Tilly was emaciated and had an infected right hind claw, caused by the claw becoming embedded into her pad.
Mr Ellwood added: “Missy also had a heavily matted, urine stained coat and she smelt offensively.
“Her claws were also overgrown and were in danger of embedding.”
“Both were emaciated due to the lack of food and the condition of the dogs was a result of the lack of care from their owner. They had clearly been neglected for a prolonged period.”
Mr Ellwood added that both dogs have since been nursed back to full health and are currently being fostered.
Horner admitted she was struggling to care for the dogs, which she had bought around two years earlier.
A probation report stated read to the court stated: “The defendant says things had become difficult. She was pregnant and suffering with morning sickness.
“Her partner then left for a short period and she was therefore on her own with three children, pregnant and struggling.
“She knows it wasn’t right to keep them in the kitchen but she could not face going back and dealing with the situation.”
“She is aware she should have asked for help.”
Sentencing: three-year conditional discharge. £300 costs. Banned from keeping animals for just three years (expired February 2020).
CONVICTED (2017) Emma Comben aka Jo Comben and partner Martyn Buckle, born 24/01/1976, both of Tillycombe Road, Portland, Dorset DT5 1LF – locked a dog in a cage and left her to starve
Callous Emma Comben and Martyn Buckle imprisoned a dog in a cage and didn’t bother feeding her
The pair admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a Staffordshire Bull Terrier known as Tia.
The offence took place between August 3 and October 28, 2016.
After reports from a member of the public, the RSPCA discovered Tia at the property in an emaciated state locked in a dog crate. She was so thin her bones were showing through her skin.
Tia was emaciated when rescued but quickly gained weight when fed a proper diet
The court heard how the pair claimed they struggled to manage with the dog after having a family and said that after being left in the cage Tia refused to eat. They did not, however, seek professional help from a vet or an animal welfare organisation for her weight loss.
Inspector Ken Snook said: “The neglect suffered by Tia could have been easily avoided. Sadly she was cruelly left to suffer in a faeces encrusted crate without the care she needed and deserved.
“When we found her she weighed just 10 kilos and was so underweight all her bones were showing. Thankfully she has been successfully rehabilitated by the RSPCA and now weighs 16 kilos and was found a new loving home earlier this month”.
Buckle and Comben also admitted failing to meet Tia needs by not providing a suitable environment for her, contrary to Section 9 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006, following the investigation by the animal welfare charity.
Sentence: 120 hours of unpaid work within 12 months; £150 costs each; banned from keeping animals for 10 years (expires February 2027).
CONVICTED (2017|) Sydney Fraser, born c. 1962, of Ouseley House, Christchurch Road, Tulse Hill, London SW2 3EY – flushed ex-partner’s hamster down the toilet in sick act of revenge
Fraser drowned the helpless rodent after a series of bitter arguments with his girlfriend Maria Jefferson.
He forced her to drink and kept her in a darkened room before the final outrage with her beloved pet, Camberwell Magistrates’ Court heard.
Fraser is believed to have pulled the flush several times before the animal was sent to its watery grave in the sewers.
Ms Jefferson had complained to friends that Fraser was abusive to her and the police had been informed.
Fraser plied her with drink so she would do his bidding.
Terry Curtis, prosecuting, said: ‘Fraser wanted her to drink to control her. He encouraged her to drink.
‘In one argument he pushed her in the chest and she fell backwards.
‘He unplugged the TV and took out the lights because he knew she was afraid of the dark.’
When Ms Jefferson finally left him on December 5 2016 he bombarded her with text messages and phone calls begging her to come back.
Unfortunately, Ms Jefferson had left her pet with Fraser.
‘Some time before Christmas she went to the flat,’ Mr Curtis said.
‘She asked where the pet hamster was.
‘He said that he had flushed it down the toilet.’
Ms Jefferson was devastated because she had loved taking responsibly for cleaning and feeding the animal.
‘The hamster was a symbol for showing her that she could be responsible for someone other than herself,’ Mr Curtis explained.
Defending himself, Fraser was unrepentant.
Addressing the court from the dock he said: ‘I have nothing to say.
‘I just want to get on with my life without her hanging around me.’
Magistrate Lillian Heyworth-Dunne said: ‘We are going to take the exceptional of trying this with a conditional discharge for a period of 12 months.
‘If you stay out of trouble and your not charged with any offence it will go away.’
Fraser admitted criminal damage and he was given a 12 month conditional discharge.
CONVICTED (2017) | Gary Trevor, born c. 1964, of Canford Avenue, Bournemouth BH11 8RG – starved his two Rottweiler dogs and failed to get medical treatment for their ailments
Trevor pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to his dogs, Onyx and Star.
When RSPCA inspectors visited Trevor’s home they found Onyx had already died, while Star, described by inspectors as affectionate and lovable, had lost almost half her body weight.
Victim of abuse: Star initially put on weight but was in constant pain and had to be put to sleep
Although Star initially gained weight, she was found to be in continuous pain with enlarged joints and RSPCA vets were forced to put her to sleep to end her suffering.
Inspector Graham Hammond said: “This is a sad and preventable case of two dogs, Star and Onyx, suffering from Mr Trevor’s failure to act.
“Onyx was left to simply die in front of Mr Trevor, due to untreated medical conditions which any reasonable dog owner should have recognised.
“Onyx was emaciated when he died and Mr Trevor failed to seek any veterinary help, from the free vets he was already registered with at the PDSA.
“Star can only be described as close to death when the RSPCA became involved. She was collapsed, emaciated and passing clotted blood.
“Shortly before Onyx died, Mr Trevor’s neighbour told him that his dogs looked like whippets because they were so thin and still he didn’t seek veterinary help.
“Both dogs must have suffered massively, they lived in close proximity to Mr Trevor who still managed to eat and drink in front of them, whilst they went without.
Onyx and Star
“They were both between 21.65 – 25.5kg, nearly half of Star’s previous weight and Onyx had lost over 30% of his weight.
“When there is so much help and assistance available, I find these cases particularly sad and hard to deal with.
“Thankfully these animals are not suffering anymore.”
Sentencing: 80 hours of unpaid work. Total of £260 costs and charges. Banned from keeping animals for 10 years (expires February 2027)
CONVICTED (2017) | Lee Andrew Johnson, born 26/07/1978, previously of Weardale, County Durham, and more recently (June 2020) of Hadfield Street, Wombwell, Barnsley S73 0JR – fractured a pet dog’s skull in a hammer attack.
Johnson was convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal following a trial.
Kevin Campbell, prosecuting for the RSPCA, said the defendant and his partner were at her address in Tow Law on January 30, 2016.
Lee Andrew Johnson launched a violent attack on a helpless dog named Alfie
In evidence accepted at the earlier trial, the court heard coffee was spilt and the defendant “went into a mood”.
The court heard he shouted at the animals then picked up a hammer from a tool box and “struck” the dog known as Alfie. Mr Campbell said it was the prosecution’s case that the Staffordshire bull terrier type dog was hit on several occasions.
Despite launching a vicious attack on a helpless dog, Lee Johnson is only banned from keeping animals for five years
“He had thrown the hammer at the dog and hit the dog’s foot,” he added. “As it was going out he kicked the dog.”
A vet’s report confirmed Alfie had bruising to his body and a number of injuries that could be “clearly seen” including marks on his head and skull fracture.
Magistrates heard the defendant’s case in the trial was that he used the hammer in an act of self defence.
Johnson claimed Alfie had bitten him, and had injuries akin to a dog bite on his hand. He claimed he reached for the hammer to release the dog’s grip.
Sentencing: 18-month community order with 30 rehabilitation days. Ordered to pay £500 costs and a £60 victim surcharge. Banned from keeping dogs for just five years (expired February 2022).
CONVICTED (2017) | Anna Balintova, born c. 1958, and husband Ladislav Balint, born 11/02/1958 of Skipton Avenue, Southport PR9 8JP – illegally imported dogs into the UK from their native Hungary
Illegal puppy importers Anna Balintova, and Ladislav Balint risked bringing rabies into Britain
The pair pleaded guilty to bringing potentially rabid puppies into the UK to sell on Gumtree and Preloved websites.
Prosecutor Fiona Townsend told of how trading standards got involved after being contacted by a concerned member of the public.
There are strict regulations on bringing pets into the UK for commercial purposes but Mrs Townsend explained to the court that provision is made for European citizens to carry up to five of their own pets provided they are issued with a Pet Passport which confirms the ownership and identity of a pet and whether it has been inoculated against rabies.
She said that Balint and his wife had returned to Hungary where one Chihuahua and four pug puppies were given passports on March 18, 2016. The couple then made the crossing with the puppies to Kent four days later.
“Advertisements in relation to the puppies imported by the defendants were placed on the local Gumtree and Preloved websites on March 21,” she said.
“A warrant was executed and the puppies were seized at the defendants’ address.”
The puppies are understood to have cost £400 each and were advertised for £880 each in the UK. They did not go to quarantine and went straight to the Skipton Avenue address, the court heard.
The puppies were 10-12 weeks old when they were seized meaning that they were approximately 7-9 weeks old when they were registered and too young for a rabies vaccine to be effective. None of the puppies had rabies.
Sentencing: Three year conditional discharge; council costs of £1,126.26 plus victim surcharge.
