#MostEvil | Jade Abigail Roberts, born 30 November 1995, previously of Kensington, Liverpool and now of Ash Street, Northampton NN1 – shut her pet dog in a cage and went on holiday for 14 days.
On July 31, 2021, mother-of-two Roberts left her property in the Kensington area of Liverpool – and her 18-month-old Staffy named Daisy – to stay at a caravan park in Prestatyn, North Wales.
An RSPCA inspector went to the defendant’s address on August 10, 2021, after they received information a dog had been abandoned at her home.
Peter Mitchell, prosecuting, said: “They looked through the letterbox and were hit with the smell of decomposing flesh. She could see the property was filthy with clothes and rubbish strewn on the floor
“She could see a dog cage and did try to gain entry through the yard but that was flooded with rubbish bags. The following day, a housing officer contacted Miss Roberts as she was away at the time.
“Her sister let an RSPCA inspector in the property and found a dead and decomposing white Staffordshire Bull Terrier.”
The court heard the dog was locked in a cage that was “filthy and littered with faeces” and there were three bowls in the crate – one of which was upside down while the second was empty and the third contained dog food.
Roberts went away on holiday with her children and was away for some 14 days, claiming she had arranged for a friend to look after the dog and provided for money and food.
Mr Mitchell added: “She refused to disclose the details that person and indicated she was heartbroken and angry the friend had let her down. A veterinary surgeon couldn’t be sure how the dog had died.
“Clearly, it was locked in a cage and there had been insufficient water. It’s difficult to say when the dog died as it depends on conditions on the property, the heat and things of that nature. The defendant does not have any previous convictions.”
The court heard how legal proceedings had “weighed heavily on her mind” and Roberts had “really struggled with the whole process and not knowing what’s going on”.
Stephen Langton, mitigating, said: “She had Daisy since she was eight weeks old. There’s no evidence of any previous welfare issues with the dog. It was a family pet and is very upset about what happened.
“She ended a 10-year abusive relationship with the father of her two children in June 2020 after a serious assault. The matter was reported to the police and went before the courts and he was convicted.
“After that Miss Roberts has been attempting to move away from the Liverpool area to get away from him. Even though a restraining order was in place, she was fearful that he could resurface and that was part of the reason why she ended up going away in July.
“She accepts she showed very poor judgement in leaving the responsibility to someone else to look after the dog while she was away. The children were very, very upset about the whole thing.”
Her ex-partner has not been in any sort of contact since she’s moved to Northampton, the court heard, and she has “no intention” of seeing him again.
Mr Langton added: “The children are totally reliant on her and a custodial sentence would result in the two children going into care. She’s clearly a responsible mother who dotes on her children and they are her life.”
Suspending the 12-week custodial sentence imposed on Roberts, magistrates told her: “We are suspending the sentence because of your significant mental health issues which we believe are best dealt with and helped in the community and for the benefit of your children who have health requirements of their own.
“Don’t be tempted in any way, shape or form to bring any animals into your property or be controlled.”
Sentencing | 12 weeks in prison, suspended for a year; 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days; six months of mental health treatment; £500 costs to the RSPCA. 10-year ban.
