CONVICTED (2023) | Michael Lee Orton, born c. 1963, of 8 Newnham Road, Binstead, Ryde PO33 3TD – slashed his dog’s neck with a craft knife causing fatal injuries.
The Akita, known as Kora, died from blood loss after being stabbed by Orton during a domestic meltdown on 20 June 2022 in which his wife, Helen Orton, was also attacked. Orton then slashed his own neck.
Police were alerted after Helen Orton fled the property covered in blood and flagged down a passing Morrisons van.
Emergency services arrived at the scene a short time
Orton had sliced an artery and suffered ‘catastrophic blood loss’. He required a blood transfusion at hospital, and it was later apparent that he had suffered a right-sided stroke – which resulted in a loss of mental capacity.
Helen Orton suffered multiple knife wounds in the attack, including a large slash wound to her throat, a deep slash wound to her jaw described as being ‘well into subcutaneous fat’, several less serious wounds to her head and face and bruising to her back. Whilst attacking his wife, Orton had said “why don’t you die”.
Police officers also attempted to save Kora, dressing her neck wound as she struggled for breath and arranging for an emergency vet to prepare for surgery. But as she was carried towards the police van ahead of a blue light run to the practice, she passed away – around 45 minutes after being stabbed.
Lee Orton spent some four months in hospital before being released and put before the courts.
Helen Orton has stood by her husband since the incident, visiting him in hospital and withdrawing a statement she provided to the police investigating the attack.
A three-day fact-finding hearing held at Salisbury Crown Court in April 2023 saw a jury unanimously conclude that Michael Orton – commonly known as Lee – committed the act of attempted murder and causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.
Judge Timothy Mousley handed him a two-year community supervision order.
Vicious BAST”Rd
Should have left him to rot
You sick scum, and the wife to go on and support him, I don’t care who you was but anyone touched my pets furs in a vicious way. God help them… because I would not settle till I got revenge on them.
If she is stupid enough to put up with him she might at least consider the fate of the poor dog,which was unlucky enough to be owned by the ghastly pair.