CONVICTED (2020) | Aaron Ray, born 29 July 2002, of Mayfield Road, Sunderland SR4 0NE – stabbed a pet cockatiel to death in a fit of rage.

Aaron Ray left the unnamed family pet with fatal injuries after plunging a knife into the back of her neck.

Northumbria Police officers found the deceased bird after being called to Ray’s home following reports of a disturbance. When questioned, Ray displayed an astonishing lack of remorse for his sickening cruelty, insisting “it’s just a bird”.

In court, Ray pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.

PC Peter Baker, wildlife officer at Northumbria Police, said Ray’s conviction should act as a reminder that animal cruelty is a criminal offence.

He said: “Aaron Ray showed a total disregard for the welfare of this bird and inflicted catastrophic injuries that it could not survive from.

“This kind of behaviour is not only reckless and upsetting, but a criminal offence and that’s the lesson that Ray now must learn.

“We are a nation of animal lovers, so it is upsetting to come across incidents such as this where the defendant has caused inevitable and unnecessary suffering to an animal.”

Sentencing | 12-week custodial sentence, suspended for one year. 15-year ban from owning animals.

Sunderland Echo
Express & Star

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Update | March 2023

On 23 March 2023 Aaron Ray was jailed for life after being convicted of murder. He must serve a minimum of 22 years in prison.

Ray stabbed his lover, student Jason Brookbanks, after reading messages to other men on dating app Grindr. He then fled the scene leaving Jason for dead.

Sentencing Ray, Mr Justice Martin Spencer said the evidence showed Ray had been “possessive, jealous and violent” in previous relationships and was “deceitful, dishonest and when drunk, highly dangerous”.

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