CONVICTED | Mark Anthony Linford, born October 1977, of Long Lane, Aston End, Stevenage SG2 7HG – broke into a woman’s home and stole her dogs before attacking them, causing fatal injuries to one.
Linford, a self-employed painter/decorator trading under the name Linford’s Professional Decorating, pleaded guilty to three counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal as well as burglary
Essex Police were called to an address in Harlow on the afternoon of 18 September 2023 following reports of a residential burglary, where three chihuahua dogs (pictured) were stolen.
The suspect was quickly identified as Linford. He was located and arrested on suspicion of burglary.
The dogs were located later in the day.
One dog, Nacho, was found next to the railway track at Harlow Mill. Sadly, he had to be put to sleep due to the severity of his injuries.
The other two dogs, Parker and Lola, were found close to the train tracks with serious injuries.
Linford was further arrested on suspicion of three counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and later charged.
After pleading guilty to three counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and burglary, he was sentenced to a total of two years and six months in prison.
Linford, who uses the first name Marco but may also go by the name Billy or Billie Linford, was also issued with a restraining order against the victim, an Animal Disqualification Order and ordered to pay compensation to the victim.
Following the sentence, the dogs’ owner said the following: “No sentence given to Mark Linford (Marco) will ever do justice for the loss of my little Nacho and the devastation it’s caused the whole family and the other two dogs.
“You never think that something so awful could ever happen to you.
“Our animals are like our children, totally innocent.”
Detective Constable Sarah Faircloth, who led the investigation said “Mark Linford made the decision to take the victim’s three defenceless dogs which goes to show what a dangerous individual he is. The anguish and heartache he has caused is irreparable, which no prison sentence will ever compensate.
“I must commend the victim for her courage throughout the investigation, her support and dedication for justice for Nacho, which in my opinion was the main reason Linford had no choice but to admit his guilt.”
Sentencing | two years and six months in prison; animal disqualification order of unspecified duration.