#MostEvil | Gary Marshman, born 30/05/1983, originally from Black Abbey in Bradford but has lived at 27 Tennyson Avenue, Bridlington YO15 2EX for several years – stole an elderly couple’s border collie from outside a supermarket; dog found dead with injuries consistent with being thrown from height
In January 2010 Marshman who had a string of previous convictions including possession of a firearm and burglary, stole 12-year-old border collie Jess, beloved pet of retired couple Ron and Enid Bisby, from outside a supermarket in Cleckheaton.
Two days later Jess’s battered body was found in shallow water at the bottom of a viaduct. It appeared that she had been thrown from a bridge. Her collar and lead were found in bushes nearby.
CCTV cameras captured Marshman, who at the time was staying at a local bail hostel, going into the supermarket to buy socks. He was then shown running off with the dog.
Marshman refused to say if he had thrown to dog to her death and was convicted only of theft.
Enid Bisby spoke afterwards of the impact the loss of their pet had had on her and her husband. She said: “Jess was the love of our lives, so much so we had an artist paint a picture of her from a photograph. For this to happen to any dog would be terrible, but for it to happen to an old, trusting dog makes it even more upsetting.”
Ron Bisby said: ““I have been unable to sleep properly. I feel numb and I miss my dog terribly. My wife feels she has aged 10 years and won’t leave the house. I can’t put a price on Jess. She is priceless to me.”
Sentencing: jailed for 26 weeks for theft. No ban.