CONVICTED (2015) | Paul Anthony Wilcock, born 12/12/1966, formerly from Latchford, Warrington but as of April 2020 living at Churchfields, Clock Face, St Helens WA9 4GL – battered a dog to death

Jack Russell terrier Molly was beaten and left lying in a pool of blood by Paul Wilcock in the hallway of his brother Kevin Hickman’s home.

The court heard how the pair, who had been drinking, were discussing their mum’s death before a ‘physical struggle’ broke out.

Molly started to bark during the incident and it was then when Wilcock focused his anger on her before launching the attack, during which he kicked her repeatedly.

A police officer who attended the scene said he saw Molly lying motionless, along with a substantial amount of blood on the walls and floor.

He also described seeing Wilcock ‘swaying and struggling to stand’.

Wilcock initially claimed that Molly was ‘alive and well’ when he left the property but was caught when forensic examination found a 100% match between bloodstains on his clothing and Molly.

He ultimately admitted two offences under the Animal Welfare Act: causing unnecessary suffering to Molly and failing to protect her from pain, suffering and injury.

Prosecuting Tom Stock confirmed there had been no suggestion that the brutal act was carried out by Wilcock in order to protect himself.

“The defendant caused Molly to suffer by kicking and striking the dog repeatedly in an unprovoked and sustained attack,” he said.

“The inspector noticed blood dripping and smeared on the walls.

“The dog was a well-natured dog and showed no signs of aggression.

“She died as a result of blunt force trauma to the head which would have cause immense suffering – it was a brutal attack.”

A post-mortem examination showed multiple fractures of Molly’s skull, bruised lungs and a windpipe full of blood.

Speaking after sentencing, RSPCA Inspector Anthony Joynes said: “Finding Molly lying motionless in a pool of blood is something I will never forget.

“This was quite an awful crime and it saddens me that this poor dog has met such a brutally violent end.

“I am pleased, however, that she did not suffer completely in vain as we have managed to bring her abuser before the courts and he now has many long nights to sit and think about what he has done.

“Wilcock denied any involvement in the killing of Molly – that is until his clothes and shoes, seized at the time of his arrest, were sent for forensic examination.

“Six areas of blood were located and tested 100% positive for dog DNA.

“I struggle to comprehend the amount of pain and suffering Molly must have been subjected to. It still upsets me, almost a year later, to think about it.

“We are completely zero-tolerance on this sort of abhorrent behaviour and this case just goes to show that we will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that animal abusers are brought before the courts to answer for their actions.”

Sentencing: 20 weeks in prison, reduced from 26 weeks for his early guilty plea; £400 costs. Banned from keeping animals for life. He cannot appeal for termination of the ban.

Liverpool Echo
Warrington Guardian