Tag Archives: Liverpool

Dogs

Walton, Liverpool: Peter Shelley

March 25, 2024 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2024) | Peter Shelley, born c. 1977, of Warbreck Avenue, Walton, Liverpool L9 8DJ – failed to treat a pocket bully puppy with a skin condition, bilateral ear infection and vaginal prolapse.

RSPCA prosecution of Peter Shelley from Liverpool, who failed to treat his dog's ailments. Image: Facebook

Shelley, previously of Shrewsbury Road, Prenton, the Wirral, had denied causing unnecessary suffering and failing to meet the dog’s needs, but was found guilty at a trial.

The dog, a young pocket bully called Peggy who was only a puppy at the time, had multiple health conditions when she was found at the Prenton flat on April 23 2023.

The court heard how police officers had gone to the flat to carry out a welfare check on Peggy after Shelley was taken into custody.

Officers alerted the RSPCA with concerns about the dog’s condition after noticing bloodied bedding in her crate.

RSPCA prosecution of Peter Shelley from Liverpool, who failed to treat his dog's ailments. Image: RSPCA

In his evidence to the court, RSPCA Inspector Anthony Joynes, who responded to the incident, said: “The dog had been seized by officers and I advised that she should be taken urgently to a vet for assessment.

“I attended the flat at Shrewsbury Road. There was no response and no access through the side gate so I left a calling card requesting that the owner/person responsible for the dog respond.

“I made arrangements for a colleague to collect the dog the following day and transport her to the RSPCA’s Greater Manchester Animal Hospital for further assessment and treatment.”

The first vet who examined Peggy on April 23 said she had a low body condition score, inflamed, crusting dermatitis affecting her ears, chin, eyelids and chest, a bilateral infection of both ear canals and a vaginal prolapse.

In written evidence to the court, she said: “In my professional opinion I believe that the conditions had been present for a duration of longer than three weeks.

“I do not believe any treatment was being administered to this patient and no professional help had been sought for the vaginal prolapse.”

A second vet who examined Peggy at the RSPCA’s Greater Manchester Animal Hospital on 24 April diagnosed an ulcerated vaginal prolapse, a bilateral ear infection and a skin allergy which had caused severe itching and alopecia.

She said: “Given the severity of Peggy’s condition on presentation, in my opinion she will have suffered for two weeks, as a minimum, likely longer”.

During the course of the RSPCA’s investigation a local charity confirmed that Peggy had been in their care on April 10, 2023, after she was found straying.

Shelley reclaimed her three days later but ignored the advice of kennel stuff to get her urgent veterinary treatment.

Shelley was interviewed and said Peggy was being well looked after. He said he didn’t think her ears were that bad, and although he could see the prolapse she seemed okay.

Peggy was initially looked after at a private boarding establishment on behalf of the RSPCA before being transferred to the charity’s Macclesfield, SE Cheshire and Buxton Branch, where she went into foster care.

She made a good recovery and in early March 2024 was adopted. She has settled well into her new home.

Speaking after the trial, Inspector Joynes said: “Peggy is such a sweet little dog and has been a favourite with all the people who have assisted in her rescue, treatment and rehoming.

“She was let down severely by her owner who should have sought veterinary care much sooner for a number of issues.

“I’d like to thank the police officers who seized Peggy on the day for going above and beyond to make sure she was safe.

“Here’s hoping she now can have a long happy life with her new family.”

Sentencing | ten-week custodial, suspended for 12 months, with a further eight weeks suspended for non-related matters. Disqualified from keeping animals for just 18 months (expires September 2025).

Wirral Globe
Liverpool World

Dogs, Domestic Violence - Animals Targeted, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers

Kirkby, Merseyside: Karl Draper

March 25, 2024 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2024) | Karl Anthony Draper, born c. 2000, of Jade Close, Kirkby, Liverpool L33 6YH – attacked his girlfriend’s French bulldog puppy more than once during sustained campaign of domestic violence.

Prosecution of Liverpool man Karl Draper for domestic abuse, who also targeted his girlfriend's dog for violence.

MMA fighter Draper had been with Bekah Smith for around three years until their split in September 2023. Ms Smith then told the police that he had subjected her to verbal and physical abuse throughout their time together.

Cheryl Mottram, prosecuting, described how Ms Smith had previously “made excuses for his behaviour” and “stayed with him because she loved him”, but she “kept photographs and recordings” evidencing his numerous assaults.

The first such incident came on April 15 2021, when Draper kicked the French bulldog puppy they had bought only a few days earlier in her side, causing the dog, named Angel, to “yelp in pain”. This would be one of many occasions when heavy cannabis user Draper took his frustrations out on the puppy.

Numerous other incidents followed which included Draper repeatedly making threats of self-harm, leaving Ms Smith feeling emotionally blackmailed into continuing with the relationship. She also suffered multiple physical assaults, including throttling, at the hands of Draper even during pregnancy and after the birth of their son.

On one voice recording, Draper is heard chillingly telling Ms Smith that she would “end up in the morgue”.

Draper also damaged property including a child’s games console during his many violent rages.

After his behaviour was reported to the police, he told officers Ms Smith “was a liar” and said the marks around her throat in photographs had been an “allergic reaction or make up”.

Ultimately, Draper admitted engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour and five counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He was not charged with animal cruelty.

Ken Heckle, defending, told the court that his client suffers from issues including depression, anxiety, ADHD and self harm.

Sentencing, the Honorary Recorder of Liverpool Andrew Menary KC said: “People who use this type of abuse, of putting their hands around the throat, are committing serious offences, and that type of behaviour will always be regarded by the court as a real warning sign – a red flag that something more serious might happen in the future. Anyone who puts their hands around somebody else’s throat and squeezes is to be regarded as a high risk.

“All of this has had a significant and profound effect on Rebecca Smith. I am perfectly satisfied that the consequences of your behaviour towards her have caused her very significant psychological harm.

“Often, people such as you who engage in domestic abuse have two faces – the one presented to the public and the more sinister one which emerges in the context of an intimate relationship. You cannot claim to be someone of good character when your conduct has spanned a period of three years.

“However, I do take into account your immaturity and your struggles with your mental health. I am perfectly satisfied that, despite the mitigation available to you, immediate imprisonment is the only appropriate sentence to represent the serious nature of the abuse committed by you.”

Sentencing | two-year custodial. Five-year restraining order.

Liverpool Echo
Daily Mail

Animal Abandonment, Dogs, Serial Animal Abusers, Worst of the Worst

St Helens, Merseyside: Raymond Warren and Reece Williamson

February 8, 2024 misanthropic 6 Comments

CONVICTED (2024) | serial animal abuser Raymond Warren, born c. 1969, and son Reece Williamson, born 26 March 1999, previously of Hildebrand Close, Walton, Liverpool, and now 9 Winter Grove, Parr, St Helens WA9 2JT – allowed a dog to starve to death.

RSPCA prosecution: Father and son Raymond Warren and Reece Williamson, from St Helens, Merseyside, were handed suspended prison sentences for starving dog to death

The emaciated body of Cassie was found at the Walton home of Raymond Warren and his son Reece Williamson in July 2023. Both men now live together in the Parr area of St Helens.

A post-mortem report said the dog had most likely died of starvation.

RSPCA Inspector Lisa Lupson was asked to collect Cassie’s body from a vet on July 24, 2023, after the dog had been taken there by police officers who’d found her deceased in the kitchen of the property the day before.

A post-mortem report carried out for the RSPCA as part of its investigation showed Cassie’s gastrointestinal tract was empty. It concluded that her poor body condition was most likely due to starvation through a lack of access to food, with no pathological cause of emaciation evident.

The vet who provided written evidence in the case gave Cassie a body score condition of only one out of nine. They said: “I would expect a responsible owner to seek veterinary attention should their pet become underweight and to protect their animal from ingesting foreign material and seek veterinary advice if this had knowingly occurred.

In written evidence to the court the inspector said: “I was shocked to see the condition of the dog inside the bag. Cassie was a brown-coloured, female, bull terrier type dog, she was in an emaciated condition with every bone visible through her fur.”

“Cassie ingested non-food material which shows she still had an appetite, hunger and willingness to eat. This corroborates the post-mortem report which concluded that lack of food was the likely cause of the emaciation and ultimate death.

“She will have felt weakness and debilitation having a severe lack of energy. This will have been uncomfortable and severely impacted her everyday life, ability to ambulate, to obtain food or water, and play. The duration of these failings will be a minimum of several days but is more likely to be for a period of weeks looking at the evidence presented.”

In a police interview Williamson claimed Cassie didn’t eat properly and needed medication. He said he was too scared to take her to the vet and admitted he hadn’t done the right thing.

Warren, who breached a five-year ban imposed in November 2020 for similar cruelty to a dog, told police that Cassie had only lived with them for a few months but he didn’t know where she had come from.

He said he hadn’t seen the dog for one to two weeks and wasn’t aware of her poor condition.

Speaking after the case had concluded, Inspector Lupson said: “Cassie’s emaciated body was a sad and shocking sight. She had clearly been neglected for many weeks and veterinary assistance should clearly have been sought.

“Mr Warren also knew he was disqualified from keeping animals and there is a clear reason why breaches are imposed by the courts – they are there to protect animals from people who have been convicted under the Animal Welfare Act.

“We are grateful to the police for their assistance with this case, which was extremely upsetting for everyone involved.”

Another dog at the property, who was not part of the RSPCA investigation, was taken into the care of the police.

Sentencing |
Williamson: 23-week custodial, suspended for two years; 30-day rehabilitation requirement.
Warren: six-week custodial, suspended for 12 months; 25 days of rehabilitation.
£154 surcharge each.
Both defendants were banned from keeping animals for 10 years.

ITV News
Liverpool Echo
St Helens Star

Cats, Hoarders

Crosby, Liverpool: Mandy Swash

January 13, 2024 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2024) | hoarder Mandy Swash, born 3 September 1970, of Rosedale Avenue, Crosby, Liverpool L23 0UQ – kept animals in shocking squalor.

Hoarder Mandy Swash from Crosby, Liverpool Picture: Facebook

Two dead cats were discovered by RSPCA inspector Louise Showering during a visit to Mandy Swash’s previous home on Barmouth Way, Vauxhall, Liverpool, in September 2022. The charity had been called to investigate reports of dead animals and animals living in poor conditions. Showering put on a mask to go inside what was described as a “house of horrors” and said she “immediately” noticed a smell and flies everywhere.

Squalid conditions in which the RSPCA discovered two dead cats belonging to Liverpool woman Mandy Swash

Describing the conditions at the property, inspector Showering said in a witness statement: “Inside there were boxes and bags piled high making it difficult to see the floor. I had to stand on rubbish and cat litter in order to go up the stairs.

“The bathroom was in a filthy state with items covering the floor and inside the bath. The door of the back bedroom was off the hinges and resting against bags and the bed behind it.

“The window was partially obscured by piles of bags and there were many flies and fleas in the room. The landing was blocked by more items so I had to climb over these to reach the other two bedrooms.

“Inside the front larger bedroom, the bed was heavily soiled by faeces. I had to stand on rubbish just to get into the room. Inside the kitchen, I was again unable to see the floor due to the amount of rubbish.

“There was faeces and empty food packets, plastic and empty soiled bowls and litter trays. The kitchen itself was also filthy, with piles of faeces stacked up next to the sink and on the work surfaces.”

Sadly, in the living room and rear bedrooms, the RSPCA officer found the bodies of the two dead cats.

Ms Showering said: “In the lounge area, I saw a black bin bag over the top of one of the boxes. The letting agent informed me that he had spoken with Swash who told him that one of the dead cats was in a box in the lounge so I removed the box outside and found the body of a black domestic shorthaired cat inside.

“The cat appeared to have had a head injury and trauma to the eye area. In the rear bedroom, I saw a large number of fleas jumping on a blanket to the left of the door. I removed the blanket and discovered the body of a black domestic short-haired cat which appeared underweight and also had a flea infestation.”

It is believed the cat in the living room had suffered head injuries following a road traffic accident.

After the inspector left the home, more than 185 bites appeared over her body, which she said was the “worst case” of flea bites she had suffered in her 13 year career.

She said: “This was an incredibly sad case which resulted in the neglect and suffering of multiple cats.

“These cats were not provided with a suitable environment in which to live due to the heavily soiled litter trays, a heavy build up of cat faeces on work surfaces, floors, beds and soft furnishings and unsafe living conditions due to the hoarding of items such as plastic bags, and stacked items, causing potential trapping or injury hazards.

“There were no safe, comfortable, clean places in which the cats could rest. The environment was such that it would be more difficult to spot an injured cat easily. They were heavily infested with fleas and there was a build-up of faeces and detritus which would create a breeding ground for disease.”

Swash also had two female black and white cats who had been moved out of the property previously. The cats – Maud, two, and Mabel, seven – appeared in normal bodily condition and no further issues were raised.

Maud and Mabel have remained in Swash’s care and are well looked after, receiving regular vet checks and flea treatment.

Swash was sentenced at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, January 4, 2024, where she was proven guilty in her absence.

In mitigation, the court heard how her personal circumstances are different now in terms of mental health and therefore no disqualification order was imposed.

Sentencing | 12 month community order with 20 days of rehab; eight-week curfew mental health treatment requirement; £1,250 in costs plus £114 victim surcharge. No ban.

Liverpool Echo
National World

Birds, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers

Toxteth, Liverpool: Abraham Andemariam

November 29, 2023 misanthropic 1 Comment

CONVICTED (2023) | Abraham Andemariam, born c. 1992, of Asbridge Street, Toxteth, Liverpool L8 0UG – callously drove through a gaggle of geese and left the injured birds dying in the road.

Eritrean national Abraham Andemariam callously drove through a gaggle of geese and left the injured birds dying in the road. — Abraham Andemariam callously ran over a gaggle of geese.

Eritrean national Abraham Andemariam was captured on smart doorbell footage killing seven geese on Omega Boulevard in Great Sankey, Warrington, in July 2023.

Witnesses were distressed by the suffering of the birds, a court heard.

Tom Quirk, prosecuting, said the incident happened at about 07:00 BST on 15 July.

The Greylag Geese are a familiar sight in the Great Sankey area of Warrington

Andemariam “drove through a flock of geese killing seven of them” then carried on to work, he told the court.

Mr Quirk said “there was clear disregard for the animals in the road”.

A witness saw “the birds suffering on the floor causing her some distress”, he said.

“The birds were dying and also had dramatic injuries with skin torn away from their limbs.

“There were passengers inside the vehicle and residents were caused distress by what they witnessed and this was after aggressive driving.”

Mr Quirk said when police went to Andemariam’s work they saw feathers on the front of his bonnet and identified him as the driver.

He was subsequently sacked from his job with Amazon.

Andemariam was found guilty in his absence in September 2023 of seven charges of intentionally killing a wild bird, a Greylag Goose, and also driving without due care and without an MOT certificate.

Rebecca Templeman, defending, said Andemariam had admitted the offences in interview and was convicted in his absence after the death of his 16-year-old brother.

The defendant had travelled to the scene and emailed the court asking for an adjournment but he did not receive the postal reply and missed the hearing, she said.

On his return he saw in a newspaper he was wanted and surrendered himself to police.

Miss Templeman said Andemariam “was appalled when shown the CCTV footage and visibly upset at what he did that day”.

Andemariam pleaded guilty and was given a suspended 12-week jail term.

Sentencing | 12-week custodial, suspended for one year. 50 hours of unpaid work and 10 days of rehabilitation activities; £154 victim surcharge and court costs of £120. A collection order was made for deductions from benefits. Banned from driving for six months.

BBC News
Liverpool Echo

Animal Abandonment, Cats, Dogs, Multiple Species, Worst of the Worst

Wyken, Coventry: Laura Tate

October 14, 2023 misanthropic 3 Comments

CONVICTED (2023) | Laura Tate, born 2 February 1989, previously of Union Street, Liverpool L3 but now of 38 MacDonald Road, Wyken, Coventry CV2 5FF – left a dog and cat to starve to death in squalor.

Laura Tate's pets were found dead after being abandoned in a squalid Liverpool flat without food or water. — Laura Tate’s pets were found dead after being abandoned in a squalid Liverpool flat without food or water.

The deceased animals were found by the property’s landlord on April 14, 2022, after Tate had moved out and left them behind.

Genghis, a black and white bull breed dog was found dead in the hallway after being shut in the lounge with no food or water. He had escaped from the lounge through a hole in the door.

Tiggy, a long-haired ginger cat, was found deceased amongst rubbish in one of the bedrooms.

Both of the animals were decomposing and had most likely been dead for several days at the flat on Union Street, Liverpool city centre..

Photos show the flat covered in waste with litter and empty bags of pet food strewn on the floor. Another picture shows the hole Genghis made to get out of the filthy living room.

RSPCA Inspector, Leanne Cooper, attended the property, she said: “On approach to the door of the flat I could smell a strong, foul smell which smelt like rotting flesh.

“This smell increased when the door was opened and when I went inside it was overpowering.

“I could immediately see a dead dog laying in the hallway.”

She added: “The dog was a black bull breed type and looked to be very underweight with ribs, spine and hips prominent.

“I realised I couldn’t see the dog’s eyes and so it appeared to me that he had been dead for some time and was in the stages of decomposition.

“The whole floor of the lounge area was covered in dried faeces – some of which were mouldy – with no clean area to stand in.

“I couldn’t see any evidence of food or water provided.”

The vet who examined the animals concluded they died of dehydration, telling the court: “From the information provided it is not possible to conclude accurately how long they had been deceased when discovered on April 14 (2022), although the absence of eyes suggests they had been dead for at least several days.”

“However, it is reasonable to conclude they died while housed within the flat and at that time they did not have access to drinking water and the environment was unsuitable by virtue of numerous faeces deposits and physical injury hazards such as sharp edged tin cans and shards of glass.

“In the absence of water, both likely died of dehydration.

“Dehydration causes suffering via mechanisms of pain, disorientation, weakness, eventual collapse, organ failure and death.”

Tate pleaded guilty to two offences following a prosecution by the RSPCA.

The court heard in mitigation that she had moved out to live with a friend but planned on getting her own place and retrieving her pets.

She said their deaths had “broken her heart”.

Sentencing | 20-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months. 20 days of rehabilitation activity; 100 hours of unpaid work. Disqualified from keeping any animals for ten years (expires October 2033).

Liverpool Echo
ITV News

Dogs, hare coursing, hunting with dogs, Organised Animal Crime, poaching, Serial Animal Abusers, Traveller Animal Crimes, Wildlife Crime / Bloodsports

Thornton, Liverpool: Liam Doherty

October 11, 2023 misanthropic Leave a comment

CONVICTED (2023) | serial hare courser Liam Doherty, born c 1990, of Ince Road, Thornton, Liverpool L23 4UF – used dogs to hunt wild hares.

Persistent hare courser Liam Doherty from Thornton, Sefton, Liverpool

Doherty, who in January 2016 was convicted of the same offence* alongside Bootle men James Reid, born 1 October 1983, and Neil Walsh, born c. 1985, was convicted of hunting a wild mammal with dog/s under the Hunting Act 2004

He was prosecuted after officers from the South Rural Task Force were called to land near to the Lancashire/Merseyside border. It followed reports that a man had been seen hare coursing by the landowner in February 223.

Officers from Lancashire Constabulary attended and stopped and searched a 4×4 vehicle in a nearby residential street.

In a statement issued on October 9, 2023, South Rural Police Taskforce officer PC Helen Williams said: “Hare coursing can be extremely distressing for our community as offenders commit cruel acts towards our wildlife. It is a misconception for people to think this is a minor crime in the countryside.

“Those involved in hare coursing trespass on land, damaging crops and property. The measures farmers have to put in place to deter these offenders cost considerable amounts of money which in turn is passed onto food consumers.

“The South Rural Task Force is committed to stamping out wildlife crime in Lancashire and we would like to thank local farmers and landowners for reporting these offences.”

Sentencing | ordered to pay £537 in fines and costs. The vehicle used in the offence was also seized.

LancsLive
Liverpool Echo

*Previous Conviction (2016)

In January 2016 Liam Doherty, James Reid and Neil Walsh were all handed Criminal Behaviour Orders after being caught using dogs to poach protected brown hares on Lancashire farmland.

Police mugshots, taken 2016) of persistent hare coursers Liam Doherty, James Reid, Neil Walsh, all from Liverpool — L-R Liam Doherty, James Reid, Neil Walsh

Doherty, at the time living in Crosby and Reid and Walsh, both from Bootle, were caught entering farmland with four dogs with the intent of hunting brown hares.

The 18-month order prohibited the men from entering a large area of West Lancashire with a dog or being in company with anyone with a dog, until June 2017.

Hare courser James Reid from Liverpool — James Reid

PC Ivan Leivers said: “These three men have regularly and routinely entered West Lancashire with the express intent of hunting a protected mammal – the brown hare – with their dogs.

“This order will ensure that if they continue to partake in this barbaric activity, they face the very real possibility of being given a custodial sentence.

“The other offenders who come here to carry out coursing should be warned we will apply for these orders wherever and whenever we can.”

Dogs, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers

Walton, Liverpool: Jade Jarvis

September 13, 2023 misanthropic 3 Comments

CONVICTED (2023) | Jade Jarvis, born c. 1997, of no fixed address but most recently of Ismay Street, Walton, Liverpool L4 4EF – smacked her terrified pet dog in the head during a deranged outburst at a homeless shelter.

American bully cross Hugo appeared petrified as his volatile owner Jade Jarvis took her anger out on him

A staff member at the Whitechapel Centre in Everton, Liverpool, found Jarvis in the foyer of the building, after being alerted to her behaviour by a cleaner. Sarah Holt, prosecuting, described how Jarvis’s American bulldog cross Hugo was reported to have “looked terrified” as Jarvis “shouted and swore” at employees before delivering a “really heavy” slap to the top of the dog’s head.

CCTV footage of the incident, which took place on the morning of April 14, 2023, was played to the court, and showed Jarvis dropping her trousers before throwing a bottle of water down a corridor. She then sits down on a chair and hits out at her pet twice – making contact once – then following this up with a “forceful push” to the ground. Hugo was left “subdued and visibly shaking” as a result of the attack.

Under interview with police, Jarvis denied having harmed the dog and said she “wasn’t happy with staff at the centre because they hadn’t been doing their job”, adding that she was “disgusted by them”.

Appearing from HMP Styal, she left the video link booth while the clip was being played.

Once she had returned, the defendant said: “I just want to know my sentence. I don’t want to sit here and listen to lies.”

In a separate incident in July 2022, which saw police called to Jarvis’s home in Walton, she smashed up a lamppost with a hammer before being hauled into a police van half-naked. Bodycam footage showed Jarvis shouting “paedophile behaviour” as she was escorted to the van. There, she continued “kicking out, shouting and spitting” as she was transported into custody.

Carmel Wilde, defending, told the court: “She is a lady full of frustration and anger. She is somebody who feels she wasn’t being listened to, rightly or wrongly.

“Because of the way in which she communicates and shouts and doesn’t listen, she cannot get her point across in a suitable way. She needs assistance with doing that, because she feels constantly not listened to.

“She is a young lady with mounting previous convictions. The sentences get longer and her frustration builds up.”

Jarvis admitted causing unnecessary suffering to an animal alongside charges of using threatening behaviour, possession of an offensive weapon in a public place, assaulting an emergency services worker and criminal damage.

Sentencing her to a 13-month custodial term, Judge Garrett Byrne said: “You seem incapable or unwilling to contain your rage and frustration with the world. You only have yourself to blame for the position you find yourself in.

“You took out your frustration on your own dog. That dog was terrified and curled up in a ball.

“You have shown no insight into your behaviour. You appear to be willing to show hostility to almost anybody who tries to hold out a hand to help you.”

Liverpool Echo

Animal Torture, Cats, Domestic Violence - Animals Targeted, Lifers, Serial Animal Abusers, Violent and Sadistic Pet Abusers, Worst of the Worst

Netherley, Liverpool: Lewis Hudson

July 26, 2023 misanthropic 3 Comments

CONVICTED (2023) | Lewis Hudson, born 9 June 2000, of Crispin Road, Netherley, Liverpool L27 7BE – tortured his girlfriend’s kitten over eight months by shooting her, scalding her in the shower and covering her in bleach before beating her to death.

Evil Lewis Hudson from Liverpool, UK was jailed and banned for life from keeping animals after subjecting a kitten to numerous sadistic attacks — Lewis Hudson shot a kitten with a BB gun, stamped on her with steel toe cap boots and covered her in bleach. He even hit her with a shovel.

During an eight-month campaign of terror, Lewis Hudson subjected the kitten, known as Binx to multiple sadistic attacks, culminating in her horrific death in August 2022.

Binx endured months of torture by Liverpool man Lewis Hudson, before he finally killed her

The appalling catalogue of abuse began not long after Hudson had moved into a flat in Prescot with his now ex partner, Summer – who owned Binx – in August 2021.

In the months that followed Summer noticed several injuries on the cat. Hudson initially denied all knowledge, but soon began openly abusing Binx.

On one occasion he punched the kitten after she had scratched the furniture.

He also left her in the shower with the water running for long periods of time. Her owner found the distressed animal in the the bathroom, which was full of steam. She was crying and panting and her skin was hot to the touch.

In June 2022, Summer was watching funny cat videos on her phone when Hudson told her he had a funny video to show her. He then showed her a video of him stamping on Binx in steel toe cap boots. The cat was screaming and Hudson told her he would continue to do so if she did not do as she was told.

On another occasion Summer found Binx lying motionless and matted with blood in the bath after she had been hit with a shovel in the shower. This had been done with such force, the young animal’s teeth had been broken

Hudson would also shoot the cat with pellets from his BB gun. He even soaked them in cleaning fluids before firing them – and also hit Binx with a mop soaked in bleach “in the hope it would kill her”.

Summer tried to make arrangements for the cat to be rehomed but Hudson refused to allow this because he feared the injuries would be traced back to him and he wanted a dog.

In a disturbing series of text messages sent in August 2022, Hudson told his then partner that the cat was “going to get it” and he was “going to whack her with this shovel”.

He then told her “if you don’t get home now I am going to kill it”.

He finished by telling Summer “everyone in your family thinks I am a soft c because I am polite and quiet to them. I’ll f**** show them the real me if they want.”

She returned home to find Binx lying motionless. Her fur was matted with blood where she had been hit with the shower head.

Her fangs had been cleanly hit out of her mouth due to the force. Summer passed out when she saw the cat’s injuries while her mum called the police.

Hudson was arrested at the scene. When questioned by the police, Hudson claimed he “was all talk” and had kicked the cat away from him causing her to hit the TV stand.

In his witness statement RSPCA Inspector Anthony Joynes, who investigated for the charity, said: “Binx was wrapped in a bag, covered with a towel and contained within a cardboard box. I saw she had a number of fresh looking wounds around her nasal area and chin. I noted there were no obvious signs that might suggest Binx had been involved in a road traffic accident and her claws did not appear scuffed.

“The inside of her mouth was bloodied and I noted that both upper canines were broken. When handling Binx I noted a crisp packet type sound coming from the chest area which can be a sign of subcutaneous emphysema and indicative of chest trauma.”

Inspector Joynes arranged a post mortem examination. It showed that Binx’s body was covered with abrasions and bruises.

Her ribs were fractured and her lung was punctured, which was confirmed to be the cause of death. The court heard the cat had “suffered extensively”.

“Faeces and blood were reportedly seen in multiple areas of the premises, indicative that the cat was injured and mobile for a period of time immediately prior to death,” said a report by an independent veterinary expert.

“The most likely cause of death in this animal, otherwise healthy, was a traumatic and non- accidental pneumothorax. It is clear that the animal suffered multiple, different, blunt traumas and that the animal was conscious when this occurred.

“Furthermore, the healing fractured rib and the “aged” bleeding, support the existence of a previous traumatic event to the chest, many days ahead of the fatal set of injuries listed above.”

In mitigation, the court heard Hudson had experienced “traumatic events in his childhood”. He was supported by his dad in court and it is understood that his mother bakery owner Lisa Hudson and grandmother Marion Hudson are also standing by him..

Honour Judge Brian Cummings KC called the criminality “a sickening catalogue of cruelty to a defenceless animal”. He noted the totality of the offending and the prolonged and “sadistic” nature of the torture. In mitigation he took into account Hudson’s guilty pleas to two counts of animal cruelty and one of harassment relating to the text messages to Summer.

Judge Cummings jailed Hudson for two years and three months. He also imposed a restraining order that stops him contacting Summer for 10 years, as well as disqualifying him from keeping any animal for life.

Speaking after the sentencing hearing, inspector Joynes said: “This case involved stomach-churning and sadistic levels of cruelty over a prolonged period.

“The extreme suffering Binx endured at the hands of Hudson was used to hurt and punish Binx’s owner – who was obviously devastated by what happened to her beloved pet.

“This is one of the most extreme examples of physical and psychological suffering inflicted on an animal I’ve seen in 14 years with the RSPCA. This case involved nothing short of torture and is exactly why the Animal Welfare (Sentencing) bill was introduced in 2021 to increase sentencing powers for the most extreme cases of animal cruelty.”

The RSPCA worked in partnership with the police to bring the charges against Hudson.

Sentencing | two years and three months in jail and a lifetime ban. 10-year restraining order prohibiting him from contacting Summer.

Liverpool Echo
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Animal Abandonment, Dogs, Multiple Species, Small Furries, Worst of the Worst

Bootle, Merseyside: Paul Wynne

June 28, 2023 misanthropic 4 Comments

CONVICTED (2023) | Paul Wynne, born 27 October 1981, previously of Rockford Avenue, Kirkby, Liverpool and now Harris Drive, Bootle – for the abandonment of three dogs found starved to death and four neglected ferrets.

Dog killer Paul Wynne now of Bootle, Merseyside — Paul Wynne told the court he “couldn’t cope with what happened” after his three dogs died “extremely painful” deaths

Wynne, who is also a wildlife persecutor, pleaded guilty to three charges regarding the treatment of animals in his care. On October 29, 2022, two Merseyside Police officers, named as Lomax and Cohen, attended an address on Rockford Avenue, Kirkby, after concerns had been raised about the occupant, Wynne.

Horrific images released by the RSPCA show the conditions in which Paul Wynne left his helpless dogs to die

Neighbours had complained about a bad smell of decay coming from the flat and “maggots coming through the ceiling of the flat below”. The police officers forced entry to the flat due to concerns for human life, but upon examination of the property found the skeletal remains of three dogs in an advanced state of decomposition.

Peter Mitchell, prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, told the court the property was registered in the name of Laura Martin – the partner of Wynne.

RSPCA inspector Louise Showering attended the address along with Merseyside Police on November 1 and re-entered the property with the permission of Ms Martin.

The court heard a black lurcher called Blue was found in a crate in the middle of the living room. Upon further inspection it was revealed there was also a second dog, also identified as a lurcher type and called George, in the cage. Mr Mitchell said the dogs were lying on filthy bedding and the floor was caked in white and black faeces.

There were no food or water bowls and the room was covered in a large amount of flies and other insects. The inspector noted the kitchen door was open and a dead puppy, a saluki cross type dog named Polly, was on the floor surrounded by a pool of dried blood. There were also four ferrets in two hutches found in the back of the garden.

The court heard Ms Martin, described as vulnerable with severe health difficulties, had moved out the flat and was tending to her sick mum. Wynne was the sole occupier of the flat during the time of the neglect. Wynne had told her Blue had died of a seizure and there were no other dogs inside the property.

However, Ms Martin told inspectors she returned to the property with her sister on October 6 to find the locks had been changed on the door. She said she could hear dogs barking inside the flat. Wynne said the locks were changed because they were faulty. Ms Martin said the first she knew about the horrors inside the flat was when she was contacted by the RSPCA to gain entry.

Between November 2022 and February 2023 Wynne was repeatedly contacted by Inspector Showering but he would only communicate by text message, refused to take calls and cancelled scheduled appointments.

Source: Paul Wynne, Facebook. It’s not known if either of these dogs were among the victims

He eventually attended Kirkby police station on February 7 where he denied starving the animals and claimed he had previously fed them well. He also said the ferrets weren’t his but he had been looking after them for a friend. He added he left the animals because he “couldn’t cope with what happened”.

Mr Mitchell told the court only one of the dogs could have a post-mortem due to the severe emaciation. The lurcher Blue should have weighed between 27-32kg but only weighed 12kg. He added dog claw nails and hair were found in his stomach and small intestine suggesting the desperate animal had resorted to cannibalising the other dog, George.

In mitigation, Chelsey Kearns, defending, told the court Wynne accepted sole responsibility for the “prolonged cruelty and neglect”. She said he had long suffered from depression which he had managed successfully until now. She added the suffering of the animals “came from neglect instead of sadism”.

Ms Kearns also detailed the “immense burden” Wynne had to deal with – both in terms of his own health and the care of his partner and her mum, Marie. She said Wynne was fully responsible for the care of the two women – and also had a 13-year-old daughter called Lois who he spoke with every day.

Wynne pleaded guilty to three offences under the Animal Welfare Act: one of causing unnecessary suffering to Blue; one of failing to ensure the needs of Blue, George and Polly were met; and one of failing to ensure the needs of the four ferrets.

Sentencing Wynn, Recorder Michael Blakey noted the animals had “suffered considerably” and had “extremely painful” deaths. However, he took into account the fact that Wynne had “weighty caring responsibilities” and had realistic prospects of rehabilitation outside prison.

Sentencing | 30 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months; 20 rehabilitation days. 30 hours of unpaid work. Disqualified from owning any animal for 10 years (expires June 2033).

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