CONVICTED (2023) | Harry Michael Taberner, born 3 September 1992, originally from Altrincham, but with links to Weymouth, Dorset, and Harehills in Leeds – caused serious harm to a pet cat.

Victim Tulula endured a vicious assault at the hands of twisted construction worker Harry Taberner during which she suffered a catalogue of severe injuries to her head and body. Patches of her fur had been ripped out and there was swelling to her anus indicating a possible sexual motivation. Veterinary examination found evidence of previous injuries that had healed, with the implication that the attack had not been a one-off.

It’s not yet known if Tulula survived the attack after she was taken into the RSPCA’s care.

The attack took place on January 11, 2021, at an address in Chickerell, Weymouth while Tulula’s owner was away overnight, The owner returned to her home the next day to find her pet in a terrified state, soaking wet and covered in shower gel.

She confronted Taberner, who seems to have been known as ‘Mike’, who denied hurting Tulula but he left her home a short time later and disappeared.

The RSPCA had some difficulties tracking down Taberner as he kept moving addresses and failed to turn up for multiple court appearances.

On Thursday May 27, 2023, Taberner, director of Empire Roofing and Building Ltd, previously Trojan Roofing, with premises in Runcorn, Cheshire, was found guilty in his absence following his latest court now-show.

He was eventually sentenced on Tuesday, July 18, 2023.

The court said that Taberner’s vile offence was so serious because of ‘prolonged sadistic behaviour towards an animal, causing serious harm’.

Sentencing | 20-week custodial; costs of £128. Five-year ban on owning any animal.

Dorset Echo