CONVICTED (2022) | Akeel Bavington-Allen, born c. 2003, formerly of Great Horton, Bradford, West Yorkshire – tortured the family cat and stabbed a chicken to death.

Bavington-Allen’s animal cruelty came to light after one of his family’s chickens was found dead. When CCTV was checked the teenager could be seen chasing after the animals with a garden fork and stabbing one of the chickens several times. When questioned, Bavington-Allen showed no empathy and said he didn’t feel anything at the time.

His mobile phone contained a video of him stabbing the family cat with the footage posted on Snapchat. It’s not known if the cat survived.

Bavington-Allen was said to have been showing a fascination for knives, gang culture and drill music when he was caught with a knife on him while he was attending Shipley College in April 2021.

He admitted having “a shank” on him when he was challenged and claimed he was carrying the knife because he had been assaulted by a group from Leeds.

Bavington-Allen, who had stopped taking his ADHD medication, also poured bleach into the family toothpaste tube at his home, but the corrosive substance was discovered before it caused any harm to anyone.

While on remand at HMP Doncaster Bavington-Allen made threats to kill his parents accusing them of being “snitches”.

Bavington-Allen admitted a series of offences including threats to kill, possession of a bladed article, animal cruelty and attempting to administer a noxious substance.

Sentencing | 42 months in a young offenders institution. Banned from going within 100 metres of his family home for the next five years. Banned from having direct or indirect contact with his mother. Five-year disqualification on keeping animals.

Telegraph and Argus