Cats covers cases involving cruelty, neglect or illegal harm to domestic cats, including owned pets, strays and feral colonies. Incidents may involve abandonment, starvation, untreated illness, poisoning, deliberate injury, mutilation, torture or targeted attacks on outdoor cats. Cats are one of the most frequently victimised species in the UK, with several high‑profile serial cat killers identified in recent years and widespread hostility toward roaming cats in urban areas. Domestic cats are also sometimes used as live bait to train hunting dogs within organised or illicit wildlife‑crime environments, placing them at extreme risk of injury or death. This species group identifies cases by the animals involved, with specific offence types classified under the relevant cruelty or crime categories.
Catherine Stewart left her pets locked inside with no food or water while she went on holiday.
In July 2025, SSPCA inspectors forced entry to Catherine Ann Stewart’s home in Raithburn Road, Castlemilk, after she failed to respond to abandonment checks and admitted she was away on holiday in Blackpool.
Tasha, the 14‑year‑old Pomeranian chihuahua, pictured in the home months before inspectors intervened.
Stewart had falsely claimed that her sister was caring for her animals, but could not provide any details when asked.
Inside the locked property, inspectors found three dogs and a kitten left without food or accessible water. The only water present was in a mop bucket, which one of the smaller dogs could not reach.
The house smelled strongly of ammonia and faeces, and the animals had been confined to the hallway and living room.
Two border collies, Angel and Gio, immediately jumped up on inspectors and tried to go outside.
One of two border collies left by Stewart to fend for himself
A 14‑year‑old Pomeranian chihuahua named Tasha was found barking, with cloudy eyes, overgrown nails and clear signs of chronic illness. She was underweight, coughing, unable to jump, and had not been registered with a vet. It was later established that she had been suffering for around two months and has since died.
A young white kitten was discovered alone in a messy room, crying and desperate for affection, with no food or water available.
Four goldfish were also found in a tank in a bedroom.
A video doorbell inside the property provided Stewart with a remote view of the living room, despite her claim that someone else was caring for the animals.
Stewart pleaded guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to three offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
Sentence
Court: Glasgow Sheriff Court Date: 5 October 2026 Penalty: 18‑month disqualification from owning animals Additional Orders: Placed under supervision Mitigation: First offender; background reports cited poor decision‑making and inability to problem‑solve
At a Glance
Offender: Catherine Ann Stewart Born: circa 1988 Age at Conviction: 37 Address: Raithburn Road, Castlemilk, Glasgow G45 9RR Occupation: Not reported Previous Convictions: None known Additional Information: Claimed sister was caring for animals; later admitted ownership waiver; previously acquired two cats eight months before sentencing
Penelope Garner-Carpenter has been banned from keeping animals for life after RSPCA inspectors discovered 21 pedigree Collie dogs and a cat living in filthy, cramped and dangerous conditions inside her van and caravan.
The animals were found stacked in heavily soiled crates, many without bases, with faeces and urine ingrained throughout the metal bars and plastic trays.
Ten of the dogs were emaciated, anaemic and stained in faeces and urine, with pressure sores and matted fur. One Collie was later euthanised due to continuing ill health.
RSPCA officers rescued 21 Collies and a cat from filthy stacked crates inside a van and caravan in Barrow. Ten dogs were emaciated and one was euthanised. This video shows the moment inspectors uncovered the shocking conditions
Police first attended the scene on Walney Road on 14 July 2025 after emergency calls about dogs tied to a fence in the Farmfoods car park.
More dogs were then discovered inside a Transit van and a caravan being towed behind it.
RSPCA Inspector Carl Larsson described the cargo area of the van as having a strong, unpleasant smell of urine and faeces, with crates stacked three high in near‑darkness and extreme heat. An unopened pack of raw chicken thighs was found in the cluttered cab — the food Garner‑Carpenter claimed she was feeding them.
The caravan was in a similar state. Dogs were housed in metal crates with missing bases, no bedding and extensive contamination. Many had diarrhoea and were sitting in it.
The cat, kept inside the caravan with some of the dogs, was terrified and unable to hide, causing extreme stress.
A vet examined all the animals at the police station. Ten dogs had a body condition score of one out of ten — severely emaciated — and were covered in faeces and urine more than 24 hours old. All were extremely anaemic, a condition that would have taken months to develop, worsened by malnutrition. Several dogs had pressure sores, matted fur, diarrhoea and dehydration. One female Collie was so dehydrated she required overnight fluids.
The vet concluded that the suffering was entirely preventable with basic provisions such as flea control, adequate diet and appropriate housing. The cat had also suffered due to the crowded, dirty environment and inability to escape the dogs.
Garner‑Carpenter told the RSPCA she had been “on the road” with her pets since June 2025 after losing her home, claiming she fed them raw chicken daily and rotated their time outside due to having limited leads. She admitted they spent too long in the crates but continued to deny the offences in court.
Sentence
Penelope Garner‑Carpenter, 67, was sentenced at South Cumbria Magistrates’ Court on 25 September 2026. She received a 22‑week custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months, for three animal welfare offences. The judge noted her poor health and the prospect of rehabilitation when deciding to suspend the sentence.
She was disqualified for life from owning, keeping, dealing in or transporting animals.
One dog was euthanised on veterinary advice; the remaining 20 dogs and the cat were successfully rehomed by RSPCA branch‑run centres and Animal Rescue Cumbria.
At a Glance
Defendant: Penelope Garner‑Carpenter (born 25 April 1959)
Original Location: Walney Road, Barrow, Cumbria
Later Address: Moss Road, Askern / Hatfield Woodhouse, Doncaster; links to Newcastle-under-Lyme in Staffordshire, Northallerton in North Yorkshire, and Trimdon Station in County Durham
Key Issues: Emaciation, anaemia, faeces‑soiled crates, extreme heat, lack of light, untreated medical conditions
Euthanised: One Collie
Rehomed: 20 dogs and the cat
Ban Length: Lifetime
Court: South Cumbria Magistrates’ Court
RSPCA Statement
Inspector Will Lamping, who led the investigation, said: “Keeping so many dogs in crates in these conditions was totally unacceptable. There would have been barely room to move, distress from excessive noise and the animals would have been forced to toilet in the small space they had been provided with.
“Crates should only be used for short periods of time, with suitable training, and should never be used as a permanent environment for a dog.”
He thanked Cumbria Police and the RSPCA’s network of centres for their work in rescuing and rehoming the animals.
Travellers Hames and Price, who are based in Raglan, Monmouthshire but have links to Derby and Hereford, were convicted of multiple animal welfare offences after prolonged neglect at a property in Leominster.
The case involved dogs, cats, horses, a duck and a guinea pig, all kept in conditions that failed to meet even the most basic welfare standards.
Both initially denied the allegations but changed their pleas to guilty on 1 September 2026.
The couple were found responsible for depriving the animals of adequate food, fresh drinking water and a suitable living environment.
Several of the animals were underweight, living in poor conditions and suffering from a lack of appropriate care.
Price also admitted separate offences relating to two horses — Moonshine, a piebald cob mare, and Mimi, a bay Dartmoor-type mare — whose welfare needs were not met due to inadequate hoof and dental care, parasite issues and malnutrition.
The prosecution was brought by the RSPCA, who described the animals as having suffered “significant neglect” while in the couple’s care.
Sentence
Court: Hereford Magistrates’ Court — 29 September 2026 Hames: 10‑year ban; community order (10 days of rehab); £50 fine; £114 surcharge; £350 costs; deprivation order for all five dogs. Price: 10‑year ban; 150 hours of unpaid work; £114 surcharge; £350 costs. Ban Expiry: September 2036 (no appeal for five years) Prosecutor: RSPCA
At a Glance
Defendants: Joeline Cathlyne Violet Hames (born c. 1980), Noah Hendri Amos Price (born c. 1983)
Address: Abergavenny Road, Raglan, Usk NP15 2AA
Occupation: Price — scrap‑metal collector, gardener and home improvements
Alan Lagar, 53, from Silloth, who received a lifetime ban from keeping animals following the Cumbria Police and Kenzie’s K9s investigation.
Lagar has been banned from keeping animals for life following a disturbing investigation into the deaths and neglect of multiple animals at his home and caravan.
He received a lifetime disqualification order at Workington Magistrates’ Court on 15 September 2026, after police and rescuers uncovered a series of deeply distressing scenes involving deceased animals, severely neglected pets, and hazardous living conditions.
Cumbria Police first attended Lagar’s caravan in April 2026 after concerns were reported. Officers discovered signs that animals had died both inside and outside the property.
The caravan was heavily contaminated with faeces and animal decay, and outside, the remains of animals believed to be rabbits were found. Lagar was located nearby and arrested.
The case was significantly advanced thanks to the vigilance of Kenzie’s K9 Animal Search & Rescue, who had been monitoring Lagar for two years following a previous incident in June 2024.
In that earlier case, 27 dogs were rescued from a cramped two‑berth caravan in Braystones, Cumbria. Despite the severity of the conditions, no charges were brought at the time — something rescuers described as “justice never served.”
Kenzie’s K9s continued to keep Lagar on their radar, monitoring publicly available information due to concerns he might acquire more animals. Their suspicions were confirmed when an anonymous social‑media post about a missing dog in Silloth was traced back to Lagar.
Rescuers attended the site and documented what they could from outside the caravan, discovering hooves in a fly‑covered bag, cat wheels, litter boxes, and hutches buried under rubbish.
One hutch contained a decomposed guinea pig; another held mouldy bedding and animal fur. The caravan windows were filthy and covered in flies, and rescuers could hear an animal moving inside.
Police were called and, after several hours, forced entry. Inside, officers found a deceased ferret in a filthy cat carrier and a heavily pregnant young tabby cat emerging from the debris.
Meanwhile, Lagar’s car was stopped as he attempted to return to the site. Inside were six dogs crammed into two small cages in the boot, and an eight‑week‑old puppy on the passenger seat. More animals were later recovered, including additional dogs, cats, and deceased animals.
Rescuers worked alongside police, provided statements, and documented the conditions extensively. Their efforts ensured the case progressed to court.
Sentence
The case was heard at Workington Magistrates’ Court on 15 September 2026.
Lagar received:
18 months’ community service
18 months’ rehabilitation requirements
£390 fine
Lifetime disqualification order preventing him from:
Owning animals
Keeping animals
Participating in the keeping of animals
Being party to any arrangement allowing him to control or influence how animals are kept
The ban applies to all animals for life.
Cumbria Police publicly thanked Kenzie’s K9 Animal Search & Rescue for reporting concerns promptly and for their commitment to animal welfare.
At a Glance
Defendant: Alan Lagar (aged 53 at date of conviction, born c. 1973)
Address: Silloth, Cumbria but with links to several areas includ,ng Braystones, Maryport, Wigan, Liverpool and Warrington
Offence Locations: caravan sites in Braystones and later Silloth
The case of Alan Lagar is not an example of chaotic animal hoarding. It is something far more deliberate, patterned and concerning. The evidence from Cumbria Police, local residents and Kenzie’s K9 Animal Search & Rescue shows a man who actively sought out vulnerable animals, concealed them, and repeatedly allowed them to suffer and die in catastrophic conditions. His behaviour is organised, intentional and persistent — and there are indications he did not act alone.
Animal hoarders typically accumulate pets impulsively, often believing they are “saving” them. Their behaviour is disorganised, emotionally driven and usually centred around one species. Lagar’s behaviour is the opposite. He did not passively acquire animals — he hunted for them. According to rescuers, he “stalks Facebook for animals free to a good home and has travelled all over for them.” This is targeted acquisition, not hoarding. It shows planning, intention and a willingness to exploit people offering pets to what they believed were safe homes.
His history reinforces this pattern. In 2024, 27 dogs were found living in a cramped two‑berth caravan in Braystones. Despite the severity of that situation, no charges were brought. But Lagar did not stop. He moved locations, continued monitoring social media, and resumed collecting animals. By 2026, he was again keeping multiple species — dogs, cats, rabbits, a guinea pig, a ferret — in a caravan filled with faeces, decay, rubbish and animal remains. This is not emotional attachment or disorganisation. It is indiscriminate acquisition followed by severe neglect.
The conditions discovered in 2026 show a level of concealment that goes beyond typical hoarding. Rescuers found hooves in a fly‑covered bag, buried hutches containing decomposed animals, mouldy bedding with fur, and windows so filthy they could not see inside. A heavily pregnant young cat was found living in the debris. A deceased ferret was discovered in a filthy carrier. When police stopped Lagar’s car, six dogs were crammed into two small cages in the boot, with an eight‑week‑old puppy loose on the passenger seat. More animals were later recovered.
This is not someone overwhelmed by too many pets. This is someone who actively sought animals, hid them, and repeatedly allowed them to suffer. His behaviour fits the profile of what animal‑welfare criminology describes as an acquisitive neglect offender — an individual who intentionally obtains animals, often vulnerable or unwanted, and then subjects them to prolonged neglect, sometimes resulting in death. These offenders are high‑risk because their behaviour is purposeful, not accidental, and because they continue seeking animals even after intervention.
There is also emerging information suggesting Lagar may not have acted entirely alone. At least one known associate, believed to be living on a caravan site in Allonby, has been identified by rescuers as someone who may have assisted or enabled aspects of Lagar’s behaviour. While details remain limited, the presence of an accomplice reinforces the organised nature of this offending and raises further concerns about how animals were acquired, transported and concealed.
The role of Kenzie’s K9 Animal Search & Rescue cannot be overstated. Their persistence, monitoring and documentation were crucial in ensuring this case reached court. They recognised the pattern early, kept watch for two years, and acted decisively when new concerns emerged. Without their vigilance — and the determination of PC Ostle and PC Pattinson — it is likely this situation would have continued unchecked.
The lifetime ban imposed by the court is not only justified but essential. Lagar’s behaviour shows clear recidivism, deliberate acquisition, concealment and multi‑species neglect. This is not a one‑off incident or a moment of crisis. It is a sustained pattern of behaviour that places animals at extreme risk. The ban protects future animals from suffering and acknowledges the seriousness of what was uncovered.
Kingston Billings left his kitten, Prince, suffering with a fractured leg caused by blunt force trauma and failed to seek veterinary treatment for at least 17 days.
Kingston Billings with Prince — the kitten he left suffering with a broken leg caused by blunt‑force trauma.
Although he eventually presented Prince at a free‑treatment clinic, he ignored follow‑up care, failed to collect prescribed analgesia, and later disposed of the injured kitten. He pleaded guilty to one animal welfare offence and received a five‑year ban on keeping animals.
Offender Overview
Name: Kingston Billings
Born: 7 October 2007
Age at Conviction: 18
Last Known Address: Merlin Way, Sheffield
Previous Address (time of offence): Busk Meadows, Shirecliffe, Sheffield
Occupation: Unemployed; stated he was actively seeking work
Previous Convictions: Unknown
Additional Information: Claimed to have “given Prince away”; refused to engage with RSPCA; failed to attend court, resulting in a warrant.
Incident Details
Prince, a ginger‑and‑white kitten, suffered a fractured right hind leg caused by blunt force trauma.
Billings claimed the injury occurred on 26 December.
Prince was not taken to a vet until 9 January, despite being unable to bear weight.
The vet confirmed the fracture had been present for at least two weeks.
Billings was given pain relief and instructed to return on 12 January — he did not attend and did not collect the medication.
On phone contact (12 February), he stated he had “given Prince away” and refused further engagement.
He later failed to attend court; a warrant was issued and he eventually surrendered.
A veterinary statement confirmed Prince suffered for a minimum of 17 days, and that any reasonable owner would seek treatment within 24 hours for a non‑weight‑bearing limb.
Animal Victims
Prince
Species: Cat
Breed: Domestic short‑hair (ginger and white)
Injury: Fractured right hind leg caused by blunt force trauma
Suffering: Minimum 17 days
Fate: Rehomed (details unknown)
Notes: Pain relief was available free of charge but not collected.
Sentence
Court
Sheffield Magistrates’ Court
Date
15 September 2026
Penalty
5‑year ban on keeping animals (expires September 2031)
18‑month Community Order
25 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days
150 hours unpaid work
£114 Victim Surcharge
£150 costs
Mitigation
Defendant said he was actively seeking employment
Claimed Prince had been rehomed
RSPCA Statement
Inspector Leanne Booth said: “It is heartbreaking that poor Prince was left to suffer from such a serious injury and veterinary treatment should have been sought immediately to help him.”
The case of Kingston Billings raises several serious safeguarding concerns that go far beyond the single charge brought before the court. Prince’s fractured leg — confirmed by a veterinary professional to be caused by blunt‑force trauma — is not an injury that happens without force, intent, or a significant accident. Yet Billings provided no explanation for how this trauma occurred. The circumstances surrounding the injury remain completely unaccounted for, leaving a troubling gap in the narrative that should concern anyone assessing future risk.
Equally concerning is the issue of Prince’s disappearance. Billings claimed he had “given Prince away”, but this assertion is not supported by any evidence. Prince was still injured, still in pain, and still in need of follow‑up treatment and medication that Billings never collected. Rehoming a kitten in that condition is not credible, and without proof of life, Prince’s fate must be recorded as unknown. This lack of clarity is not a minor detail — it is a critical safeguarding failure.
Furthermore, Billings was responsible for two kittens, yet only Prince appears in the court record. The whereabouts and welfare of Prince’s sister are entirely unaccounted for. No information was provided to the RSPCA, the court, or the public. The absence of any mention of her fate raises additional concerns about Billings’ overall treatment of animals and whether other harm may have occurred outside the scope of the prosecution.
Taken together — the unexplained blunt‑force trauma, the prolonged suffering without veterinary care, the disposal of an injured animal, the missing proof of life, and the second kitten whose fate is unknown — these factors form a pattern of behaviour that should have triggered a far more robust safeguarding response. A five‑year ban does not reflect the seriousness of the risk indicators present in this case.
UKACF will continue to monitor this individual and seek further information regarding both Prince and his sister.
Cases like this highlight the ongoing need for stronger sentencing frameworks and more comprehensive investigations when animals are injured, missing, or unaccounted for.
Former dog walker Ellen Gibson permitted the prolonged suffering that led to the death of a dog and cat.
Case Summary
Ellen Gibson, 24, was convicted for her role in the prolonged suffering and eventual deaths of a Labrador‑type dog named Chance and a cat named Casper.
Although not the primary perpetrator of the violence, Gibson permitted the abuse to occur, failed to prevent it, and failed to obtain prompt veterinary treatment for Chance’s catastrophic head injuries.
Chance sustained multiple traumatic head, throat, and spinal injuries over several months. He’d also had his whiskers burned off.
She later acquired Casper despite ongoing RSPCA involvement, and he too died from severe, repeated trauma.
Her offending is linked to the case of Jordan Wood, who inflicted the physical violence that caused both animals’ deaths. Wood was jailed for 18 months and banned for life in August 2026. Gibson was sentenced separately in September 2026.
Offender Overview
Name: Ellen Gibson
Born: 26 June 2002
Age at Conviction: 24
Last Known Address: Ropery Close, Kilham, Driffield YO25 4SZ
Occupation: Former professional dog walker
Previous Convictions: None known
Additional Information:
Changed plea to guilty at Bodmin Magistrates Court
Subject to mental‑health treatment requirement
Co‑offender: Jordan Wood (sentenced August 2026)
Incident Details
Between December 2024 and April 2025, Gibson was responsible for Chance and Casper while living at Trekenning Tourist Park, Newquay. During this period:
Chance (Labrador‑type dog)
Sustained multiple traumatic head, throat, and spinal injuries over several months
Whiskers burned off
Suffered repeated blunt‑force trauma
Gibson failed to obtain prompt veterinary treatment for severe head injuries
Seized by police following vet concerns
Despite weeks of RSPCA care, Chance had undetected internal injuries including:
Crushed trachea
Fractured hyoid bone
His trachea collapsed while running in a field, causing respiratory failure and death
Casper (cat)
Acquired by Gibson after Chance’s seizure, despite RSPCA involvement
Plan was in place to remove him for safety
Gibson posted online that Casper had died before removal could occur
RSPCA intercepted his body prior to cremation
Post‑mortem revealed:
Catastrophic chest trauma
Multiple rib fractures across three timelines
Severe head injuries
Blindness
Organ damage
Injuries consistent with prolonged, repetitive violence
Fate: Died from respiratory collapse following undetected internal injuries
Casper
Species: Cat
Sex: Male
Age: Unknown
Injuries: Catastrophic chest trauma; multiple rib fractures across three timelines; severe head injuries; blindness; organ damage
Fate: Died from inflicted injuries
Photos: ✘ None available
Sentence
Court: Bodmin Magistrates Court Date: 24 September 2026
Penalty:
23‑week prison sentence, suspended for two years
15‑year ban on keeping animals (expires September 2041)
Mental‑health treatment requirement
£1,000 costs
£154 surcharge
Mitigation:
Guilty plea
Mental‑health factors considered by the court
RSPCA Statement
RSPCA Inspector Jack Alderson said:
“The cruelty inflicted upon innocent animals like Chance and Casper is an unforgivable betrayal of trust. Every living creature deserves a life free from suffering and filled with compassion.”
Linked Cases
This case is directly linked to the conviction of Jordan Wood, who was jailed for 18 months and banned for life for inflicting the violence that caused Chance and Casper’s deaths.
Alex Oakley — banned for five years after neglecting a cat and parakeet while living in squalor at the Ruardean property.
Case Summary
A man from Ruardean has been banned from keeping animals for five years after causing unnecessary suffering to a cat and a parakeet. Alex Oakley, of St Johns Road, Ruardean, GL17 9UU, was sentenced at Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court following a prosecution by the Forest of Dean District Council under the Animal Welfare Act.
Deborah Oakley — previously convicted for related neglect offences at the same filthy Ruardean address.
The case is directly connected to the earlier prosecution of Deborah Oakley, who lived at the same property and was sentenced in August 2026 for neglecting multiple pets. Officers found the animals living in disgusting conditions, with poor hygiene and accumulated waste throughout the home.
Offender Overview
Name: Alex Oakley Born: Unknown Age at Conviction: Unknown Last Known Address: St Johns Road, Ruardean, GL17 9UU Occupation: Unknown Previous Convictions: Linked to co‑defendant Deborah Oakley (same property) Additional Information:
Co‑defendant Deborah Oakley previously convicted for related offences
Property found in unhygienic, waste‑filled condition
Animals suffered prolonged neglect
Bird found with irritation to head and missing tail feathers
Incident Details
On March 26 2025, officers from the Forest of Dean District Council’s street warden team, assisted by the Counter Fraud and Enforcement Unit and Gloucestershire Police, executed a warrant at the Oakleys’ address.
Inside, they discovered:
Poor hygiene and waste throughout the property
Animals confined in neglectful conditions
Evidence of prolonged suffering
A dog, three cats, three fish, and a bird were seized due to welfare concerns.
One of the animals found living in disgusting, unsafe conditions inside the Oakleys’ home — confined in filth until officers intervened.
Deborah Oakley surrendered ownership of the dog and two cats but refused to sign over the male cat and the bird, which belonged to Alex Oakley.
The bird was found with visible irritation to its head and missing tail feathers. A Deprivation Order was granted for both the cat and the parakeet.
Animal Victims
Cat: Suffering due to neglect and poor living conditions
Parakeet: Found with irritation and missing tail feathers
Other animals (dog, cats, fish): Seized under related case (Deborah Oakley)
Sentence
Court: Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court Date: 16 September 2026
Penalty:
10 weeks’ custody, suspended for 2 years
Five‑year ban on owning or keeping animals (exires September 2031)
£500 costs
£154 victim surcharge
Deprivation Order for cat and parakeet
Mitigation: None reported
Council Statement
Cllr Adrian Birch, Leader of Forest of Dean District Council, said: “With the second part of this prosecution now complete, I would like to thank the officers, partners and staff involved in investigating this case and bringing this successful prosecution.
“The scale of the investigation, as well as the sentence handed down by the court, shows just how seriously we treat these types of cases.”
Katie Beaumont — killed a cat by throwing him against a wall. Now banned from keeping animals for life.
Case Summary
Katie Beaumont avoided jail after killing a cat by throwing him against a wall. She admitted causing unnecessary suffering and received a community order, mental health treatment, and a lifetime animal ban.
Offender Overview
Name: Katie Beaumont
Born: 21 January 2004
Age at Conviction: 22
Last Known Address: Salisbury Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire
Occupation: Unknown
Previous Convictions: None disclosed
Additional Information: Offence involved the violent killing of a cat by hurling him against a wall. Guilty plea entered at an earlier hearing.
Incident Details
On 26 August 2026, Stevenage Magistrates’ Court sentenced Katie Beaumont after she pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a cat.
The court heard that Beaumont killed the cat by throwing him against a wall during an incident in Stevenage. She admitted the offence at an earlier hearing on 15 June 2026.
Animal Victims
Unnamed male cat
Victim of fatal blunt‑force trauma
Thrown against a wall
Died as a result of the violence
Missing Information:
Cat’s name
Veterinary report
Photos
RSPCA statement
Sentence
Court: Stevenage Magistrates’ Court Date: 26 August 2026
Penalty:
Community order lasting until 25 August 2027
12 months mental health treatment
Up to 20 days of rehabilitation activities
Lifetime disqualification from owning, keeping, controlling, or influencing the keeping of animals
Must comply with all requirements or face breach proceedings
Serial offenders Charlene McGilligan and Kevin Malpass are banned for life from keeping animals after neglecting five cats.
Case Summary
A Consett couple already banned from keeping animals went on to neglect five cats, three of whom suffered severe flea allergic dermatitis and were underweight.
Kevin Malpass and Charlene McGilligan, both 39, breached their existing ten‑year ban and admitted four animal welfare offences at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court. Their ban has now been upgraded to a lifetime prohibition. All five cats have since been rehomed.
Offender Overview
Kevin Malpass
Name: Kevin Malpass
Born: circa 1987
Age at Conviction: 39
Last Known Address: Briardale, Consett DH8 7BG
Occupation: Not reported
Previous Convictions: Ten‑year animal ban imposed December 2017
Additional Information: Lived at the property with McGilligan; jointly responsible for breach of ban and neglect.
Charlene McGilligan
Name: Charlene McGilligan
Born: circa 1987
Age at Conviction: 39
Last Known Address: Briardale, Consett DH8 7BG
Occupation: Not reported
Previous Convictions: Ten‑year animal ban imposed December 2017
Additional Information: Allowed inspectors into the property; admitted the cats were strays; stated the mother cat had died after being attacked by a dog.
Incident Details
On 5 November 2025, RSPCA Inspector Catherine Maddison attended the couple’s home following reports that cats were present despite an active ten‑year ban. In her written statement to the court, she described the property as “incredibly cluttered” with little room to move around.
The exceptionally cluttered home of Charlene McGilligan and Kevin Malpass, where five neglected cats were found by RSPCA inspectors.
McGilligan allowed inspectors inside but refused access to the upstairs area, stating she would bring the cats down herself.
She explained that the mother cat had previously been attacked by a dog, had suffered severe injuries, and despite calling around for help, she had been unable to get anyone to attend. The mother cat later died, and McGilligan buried her. She told the inspector that the cats currently in the property were four kittens from the deceased mother cat and one of their kittens.
McGilligan then brought down five cats: Lilo, Tinkerbell, Misty, Wendy and Nala. The four black‑and‑white females were aged two, and the tortoiseshell‑and‑white female, Nala, was aged one. All five were flea‑infested, underweight, and four had bald, thickened skin.
Rescued cats Lilo, Tinkerbell, Misty, Wendy and Nala, all rehomed by the RSPCA after suffering neglect and flea allergic dermatitis
A vet later confirmed that three of the cats — Lilo, Tinkerbell and Misty — were suffering from severe flea allergic dermatitis (FAD) and had been left untreated for at least a month. Wendy was also underweight with milder disease, and Nala had fleas. The vet stated that basic handling, such as stroking, would have revealed the extent of their suffering.
The couple also had fish and axolotls in the property, despite their existing ban.
Animal Victims
Species: Cats
Names: Lilo, Tinkerbell, Misty, Wendy, Nala
Ages: Four black‑and‑white females aged 2; one tortoiseshell‑and‑white female aged 1
Injuries:
Lilo, Tinkerbell, Misty — underweight, severe flea allergic dermatitis
Wendy — underweight, mild skin disease
Nala — flea infestation
Fate: All five cats rehomed by the RSPCA
Sentence
Court
Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court
Date
17 June 2026
Penalty
Both Defendants:
Lifetime ban on keeping animals
Convicted of four animal welfare offences
Other animals (fish and axolotls) were passed on during the investigation
Mitigation
The court heard that both defendants had “mental health issues”.
They said they believed they could appeal their previous ban after five years, though they had not sought legal advice.
They claimed the cats were strays they had taken in.
RSPCA Statement
Inspector Catherine Maddison said: “Kevin Malpass and Charlene McGilligan should not have been keeping animals. The cats that were discovered at their house had not been afforded the most basic care, with three of them in particular suffering unnecessarily for weeks as a result.”
She praised the public for reporting the breach and highlighted the cats’ recovery at Felledge Animal Centre: “With the right veterinary treatment and the care they received from our wonderful staff, Wendy, Lilo, Tinkerbell, Misty and Nala went from strength to strength. We’re so pleased they are all now in loving homes.”
Jordan Wood and Ellen Gibson let a dog and cat suffer months of violence, fractures, blindness and agony until both animals died.
Case Summary
Labrador‑type dog Chance and cat Casper suffered months of brutal, repetitive violence at the hands of Jordan Wood, culminating in catastrophic injuries that led to their deaths.
Chance
Wood, aged 25, formerly of Trekenning Tourist Park, Newquay, pleaded guilty to three animal welfare offences following an RSPCA investigation.
His co‑defendant, Ellen Gibson, aged 24, formerly of Cornwall and now living in Kilham, Driffield, also admitted causing or permitting unnecessary suffering.
Casper suffered catastrophic chest trauma, multiple rib fractures across three timelines, severe head injuries, blindness, and organ damage. Both animals died as a result of the violence inflicted upon them.
Jordan Wood inflicted months of violence that left Lab-cross Chance broken, strangled and dying, and left Casper the cat blind, crushed and fighting for breath.
Wood has been jailed for 18 months and banned from keeping animals for life. Gibson will be sentenced separately in September 2026.
Offender Overview
Name: Jordan Wood Born: 22 December 2000 Age at Conviction: 25 Last Known Address: Trekenning Tourist Park, Newquay; family home at Hillside Park, Bodmin PL31 2NB Occupation: Unknown Previous Convictions:
Possession of a throwing knife (blade over three inches), Bridlington, Yorkshire — January 2025
Community order
£120 fine
£85 costs
Additional Information:
Defence cited PTSD and depression
Known to have moved between Cornwall and Yorkshire
Offender Overview (Co‑Defendant)
Name: Ellen Gibson Born: 26 June 2002 Age at Conviction: 24 Last Known Address: Ropery Close, Kilham, Driffield YO25 4SZ Occupation: Former dog walker — Happy Hippy Pet Services Previous Convictions: None known
Additional Information:
Responsible for Chance and Casper during periods of injury
Pleaded guilty to causing or permitting unnecessary suffering
Returned to family home in Kilham, Driffield, East Riding of Yorkshire
As of August 2026, she is reportedly employed in a care home where she works with vulnerable adults
Incident Details
Concerns were raised in April 2025 when Chance was taken to a vet with severe injuries.
The RSPCA were alerted and attended Wood’s address. Chance was seized by police and placed into RSPCA care, where further examinations revealed:
Multiple traumatic head injuries
Skull fractures on both sides of the frontal bones
Sagittal crest fracture
Strangulation injuries and altered airway size
Windpipe compression consistent with repeated collar tightening
Spinal fracture from high‑level blunt force
Burned whiskers
Swelling, bruising and abrasions around eyes, ears, face and neck
Chance was euthanised due to complications from his pre‑existing throat fractures.
Ellen Gibson — a former professional dog walker – admitted causing or permitting the violence that left Chance and Casper dead.
In August 2025, Casper was found dead with catastrophic injuries from at least three separate timelines of blunt‑force trauma:
Casper’s cause of death was severe blunt‑force trauma to the chest, resulting in respiratory failure.
Every mark on Chance’s body, including the cigarette burns on his ears, tells the story of the torture he endured.
Veterinary evidence confirmed both animals endured prolonged physical pain and mental torment.
Animal Victims
Chance (Dog)
Male Labrador‑type
Suffered repeated blunt‑force trauma
Skull, throat, spine and facial injuries
Whiskers burned off
Euthanised due to complications from injuries
Chance was joyful. He was trusting. He was failed.
Casper (Cat)
Male
Suffered catastrophic chest trauma
Rib fractures across three timelines
Severe head injuries
Blindness and extensive eye damage (his eye was reportedly gouged out while he was still alive)
Died from lung collapse and respiratory failure
Sentence (Jordan Wood only)
Court: Truro Date: 6 August 2026
Penalty:
18 months; imprisonment
Lifetime ban on keeping animals
Guilty of three animal welfare offences
Mitigation:
Defence cited PTSD, depression, and difficult childhood
RSPCA Statement
RSPCA Inspector Jack Alderson said:
“The cruelty inflicted upon innocent animals like Chance and Casper is an unforgivable betrayal of trust. Every living creature deserves a life free from suffering and filled with compassion.”
Chance was removed from Jordan Wood and Ellen Gibson along with several rats and rabbits. The smaller animals were unharmed.
Chance was immediately placed under the care of the RSPCA Cornwall Branch, where he received repeated health checks, veterinary treatment and daily monitoring. A member of staff fostered him to ensure he had stability, safety and comfort while the investigation progressed.
Despite weeks of dedicated care, Chance had suffered internal injuries that were not initially detectable. Unknown to the team and the attending vets, he had a crushed trachea and fractured hyoid bone caused by strangulation.
While running in the field at the centre, his damaged trachea suddenly collapsed, causing respiratory failure and his death.
His passing occurred despite every possible intervention, and only because of the violence inflicted on him before rescue.
Unbeknownst to the RSPCA, Gibson later acquired another animal — Casper the cat. As soon as this was discovered, a plan was put in place to have him removed. Before this could happen, Gibson posted on social media that Casper had died.
Casper’s body had already been sent for cremation, but the RSPCA were able to intercept it in time.
Both Chance and Casper were sent to a forensic pathologist. The examinations revealed the full extent of the injuries suffered by both animals, confirming prolonged, repeated, non‑accidental trauma.
UKACF Commentary
Jordan Wood’s case is one of the clearest examples of prolonged, escalating violence against companion animals that we’ve seen in recent years. The veterinary findings alone — multiple skull fractures, throat and windpipe compression injuries, spinal trauma, and repeated blunt‑force blows — show a pattern of deliberate harm inflicted over months, not moments. Chance’s injuries were so severe and so varied that they could not be explained by any accidental cause, despite Wood’s claim that the dog “ran into a fence.”
Casper’s post‑mortem findings were even more disturbing: fractures healing at different rates, catastrophic chest trauma, skeletal injuries, and internal organ damage, all pointing to repeated episodes of violence across at least three separate timelines. His cause of death — extensive lung collapse and respiratory failure due to blunt force trauma — reflects sustained suffering rather than a single fatal incident.
The RSPCA’s own inspector described the cruelty as an “unforgivable betrayal of trust,” and it’s difficult to disagree. These animals were not only harmed — they were harmed repeatedly, severely, and in ways that demonstrate intent, force, and a complete disregard for pain, fear, and vulnerability.
The lifetime ban imposed on Wood is both appropriate and necessary. Cases like this highlight why lifetime bans exist: to prevent individuals who have demonstrated a capacity for extreme violence from ever having access to animals again. The 18‑month custodial sentence, while welcome, inevitably feels small compared to the suffering endured by Chance and Casper — a recurring issue in UK sentencing for animal cruelty.
Ellen Gibson’s involvement, while different in nature, still reflects a failure to protect animals in her care. Allowing suffering and failing to seek veterinary treatment are not passive oversights — they are active breaches of duty that enable harm to continue. Her sentencing will determine whether the courts recognise the seriousness of enabling or permitting cruelty, not just inflicting it.
This case is a stark reminder of how vital community vigilance is. It began because a vet recognised that Chance’s injuries did not match the explanation given. Without that intervention, both animals’ suffering might have continued unnoticed. It also underscores the importance of robust enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act 2006, particularly Section 4(1), which exists precisely for situations where unnecessary suffering is inflicted or permitted.
For UKACF, this case stands as a deeply troubling example of sustained violence, preventable deaths, and the need for stronger deterrents. Chance and Casper deserved safety, care, and compassion — not months of pain followed by fatal injuries. Their story must be remembered, not only to honour them, but to reinforce why reporting concerns, supporting the RSPCA and Scottish SPCA, and demanding stronger sentencing all matter.
Additional Photos of Jordan Wood and Ellen Gibson
Update | 24 September 2026
Ellen Gibson, 24, has now been sentenced for her role in the prolonged abuse suffered by Chance the dog and Casper the cat. Gibson admitted allowing the violence to continue, failing to protect the animals, and failing to obtain urgent veterinary care for Chance’s catastrophic head injuries.
She received a 23‑week prison sentence, suspended for two years, along with a 15‑year ban on keeping animals, a mental‑health treatment requirement, and £1,154 in costs and surcharges. Magistrates stated that her failure to act contributed directly to the suffering and deaths of both animals.
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