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.
Dog killer Mark ‘Marco’ Linford will be spending the next two-and-a-half years behind bars for his crimes
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.
Nacho pictured at the back alongside Lola and Parker
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.
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.
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.
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.
CONVICTED (2023) | Mark Bond, born 4 May 1992, of Whitebeam Close, Windmill Hill, Runcorn WA7 6QJ but with links to Widnes – attacked a French bulldog puppy during domestic violence incident.
Mark Bond walked free from court despite being convicted of a litany of violence towards a woman, her new-born baby and her puppy.
Violent thug Mark Bond, who has a history of domestic abuse from as far back as 2009, targeted French bulldog Reggie during a row with his then girlfriend and mother of his new baby.
Victim Reggie
When his girlfriend begged him to stop hurting the puppy, Bond turned his attention to her instead, hitting her on the arms and back of the head. Some of the blows landed on his two-week-old baby daughter, causing minor injury, though Bond insisted he hadn’t intended to strike the child.
He also denied attacking Reggie and claimed he had been trying to push the puppy off the bed. There is no indication that the dog was badly injured and Bond wasn’t charged with animal cruelty.
Bond had attacked the same woman while she was pregnant, at one point pushing his fists into her stomach.
In court, Bond was found guilty of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, while he admitted criminal damage and assault.
Sentencing Bond, the Honorary Recorder of Liverpool Judge Andrew Menary KC told him he clearly had “a real problem with drink and, as a consequence of that no doubt, a particular issue with violence towards partners with whom you are having an intimate relationship. Your conduct in relation to her was outrageous.
“It was simply arrogant, bullying, drunken behaviour. She was on the receiving end of physical violence from you when you lost your temper.
“For no good reason at all, you began to hit her and punch her to the stomach. That was the way you behaved in drink towards someone who you were meant to care for.
“While on bail, she was then holding this two-week-old child – your child – and you again in temper hit out at her, striking her and at some time striking the baby. It is outrageous behaviour.
“There is a more constructive alternative. It seems to me that this is a situation where you and society would benefit from an alternative to immediate custody.”
CONVICTED (2023) | Lukasz Michal Dawidkiewicz, born c. 1981, of St Swithun’s Road, Bournemouth BH1 – set his ex-wife’s home on fire, killing four of her pets.
Lukasz Dawidkiewicz killed two cats and two guinea pigs in a revenge arson attack against his ex-wife
Dawidkiewicz set fire to the first-floor flat in Alder Road, Poole, Dorset leaving “a scene of absolute devastation”.
Two cats and two guinea pigs died in the fire – while a third cat was able to escape.
Polish national Dawidkiewicz initially denied responsibility, claiming the pets must have knocked over a candle.
However, the court heard how he had sent his victim text messages threatening to set fire to the flat, using misogynistic language and telling her she would “return to find blackened walls and nothing to come back to”.
Dawidkiewicz was linked to the crime after his ex-wife showed the messages to police.
The fire tore through the flat in the early hours of May 1, 2022.
Investigators determined it was started deliberately, most likely by pressing a naked flame against a combustible sofa.
Dawidkiewicz pleaded guilty to reckless arson and causing unnecessary suffering to the animals.
In mitigation, his lawyer told the court his client suffered from mental health issues. He added that he hadn’t intended to kill the four pets, describing them as “collateral damage”.
Sentencing, Judge Robert Pawson said the offences were committed “against a backdrop of domestic abuse”.
“You became subsumed in resentment and were unable to rationalise the end of your marriage,” he said.
“There was a simmering anger which was exacerbated by your taking cannabis and alcohol.”
Sentencing | six years and six months in prison,. 12-year restraining order.
CONVICTED (2023) | Craig A Lee, born 20 April 1982, of 376 West End Road, Haydock, St Helens WA11 0AY – fatally injured his elderly dog after kicking and punching her before attacking her with a metal pole
Dog killer Craig Lee aka “Crazy Craig” from Haydock in the Borough of St Helens, Merseyside
Lee, who calls himself “Crazy Craig”, kicked 12-year-old springer spaniel Carly so hard his shoe came off. He then beat the petrified dog repeatedly around the head and body with the pole, causing unsurvivable injuries. The wounded dog was taken to a vet and put to sleep.
Victim Carly. The elderly dog suffered catastrophic injuries at the hands of her evil owner
Lee’s attack on Carly was witnessed by his carer Ceri Pickering.
The court heard that Ms Pickering would regularly see Lee become violent towards Carly, shouting at the dog and raising his fists.
On one visit she watched him punch Carly in the face. She said the dog would urinate in terror any time Lee came towards her.
On July 10, 2022, police contacted Ms Pickering with welfare concerns for Lee. She arrived at the address to find him in bed. No food or water had been provided for Carly so Ms Pickering tended to her.
Carly urinated as Lee approached her and he reacted by kicking her in the head, losing a shoe in the process.
The dog yelped in pain and urinated again.
Lee went to the kitchen and returned with a metal pole, saying “watch this now” and thrashed the dog over and over again.
Ms Pickering tried to get between Lee and Carly and was also hit with the pole although she said this had not been deliberate.
She managed to get the pole off Lee and called the police after Lee told her he would “stab” the dog if she left.
Ms Pickering agreed to look after Carly who was described as having “glazed eyes” and being “unable to walk”.
Veterinary examination showed that Carly had suffered internal injuries and brain damage from which she could not recover. There was no other option but to put her to sleep.
On August 1, 2022, Lee visited Ms Pickering’s address after sending her a series of menacing text messages, one of which said it was “payback time”.
Lee began “violently kicking the door” saying he would “smash up the house” and calling Ms Pickering a “grass”.
She described being so scared that she locked her 11-year-old daughter in the bathroom before contacting the police.
On arrest, Lee was heard to tell officers that he “didn’t care” about going to prison because “Altcourse is like a holiday”.
The court heard that Lee had 13 previous convictions for 16 offences.
Lee pleaded guilty to three counts of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal and one of intimidating a witness,
In mitigation, Lee’s solicitor told the court that Carly was already poorly with cancer and end-stage kidney disease. He said it had been agreed that her death had not been solely caused by Lee’s vicious assault.
He described Lee as suffering from a “psychotic episode” brought on by “drinking to excess” and added that the defendant had a long history of mental health difficulties.
He added Lee had “felt betrayed” by Ms Pickering contacting the police and that their relationship was “not a supportive one and they were not on the best of terms”.
Recorder Eric Lamb, said the defendant’s behaviour had been “violent and abusive”.
He added: “The twilight years of that animal were made entirely miserable,”
Sentencing | one-year prison sentence, suspended for two years. Five year restraining order; six months of alcohol treatment; 25 days of rehabilitation activity. No mention of a ban.
CONVICTED (2023) | Richard Bailey, born c. 1967, of Sugar Stubbs Lane, Banks, Southport PR9 8DD – hit a puppy repeatedly with a metal stick during a drunken rage.
Bailey, who has a history of violence, was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal in addition to one count of assault and one count of using threatening language or behaviour to cause harassment or distress.
The incident took place on July 7, 2022, at the Chepstow Castle pub on County Road, Liverpool. Bailey, accompanied by a four-month-old puppy called Shadow, was drinking at the bar but after several pints became irate. As the dog grew restless, Bailey shouted at him and pulled aggressively on his lead.
After Bailey took the dog to the bathroom, barmaid Winifred O’Neill heard the dog yelping in pain. A customer went into the bathroom to investigate and saw Bailey holding his metal walking stick above his head and the dog cowering below.
The customer tried to intervene and told him to stop hitting the puppy, but Bailey shouted “none of your business”, and carried on hitting the dog. He then started swinging the stick at other customers.
In the commotion, Bailey hit Ms O’Neill over the head with the stick, causing a small bruise. When she told him she was calling the police, he responded “I don’t give a f***”.
He continued shouting abuse, throwing punches and swinging his stick around at customers.
Michelle Dwyer, who was familiar with Bailey and his dog, entered the pub and tried to calm him down, but was unsuccessful. Ms Dwyer said Bailey threatened to burn her house down. As he had previously told her he knew how to build a bomb, she was concerned for her safety.
Eventually, members of the public managed to get the dog away from Bailey, and he left the scene. Ms O’Neill informed police they were no longer needed.
However, shortly after, Bailey returned shouting “where is my f***ing dog”, before picking up glasses from behind the bar and holding them above his head as if he was going to throw them.
He continued to swing his walking stick at other customers, before they got him out of the bar again and police arrived.
The puppy has since been fostered into a new home.
Bailey’s lawyer told the court his client currently lives in a caravan with no running water or electricity and has mental health issues.
Bailey pictured in 2012
Sentencing Bailey, District Judge Wendy Lloyd told him: “I am glad that this case has had a happy ending in that this puppy has been fostered.
“You apparently still see yourself as a victim in this. You used a stick on a woman and a dog.
“You showed no love to this animal, just anger, I am bewildered that anyone who knew you gave you a dog.”
Sentencing | six months’ imprisonment suspended for 18 months; £200 in costs, £150 compensation to each victim, plus a £154 surcharge; 30 rehabilitation days; restraining order. Banned from owning any animal for the rest of his life.
CONVICTED (2023) | Richard Dobinson, born June 1985, of Burnsall Grange, Armley, Leeds LS12 – kicked and threw a dog during a domestic violence incident
Dobinson was jailed for two-and-a-half years following a campaign of horrific violence against his former partner, which culminated in an attack against her dog.
The attack on the unnamed dog took place in August 15, 2022. The court hear that he kicked the dog in the stomach, making him cry out in pain. He then picked the dog up by his shoulders and hurled him onto the concrete. The dog lost two front teeth in the incident and also suffered severe gum damage.
Dobinson had been in a relationship with the woman from 2021 and during that time she had been subjected to domestic abuse on multiple occasions.
On May 1, 2022, during a row. Dobinson grabbed the woman’s neck and threw her across the room, causing bruising to her hip and also breathing difficulties.
On another occasion Dobinson strangled her to the point where she couldn’t breathe. As she struggled to get to her feet he headbutted her causing a cut on her nose.
The woman wanted to go for medical treatment but Dobinson stopped her from doing so.
Dobinson admitted common assault, actual bodily harm assault, strangulation and an animal cruelty charge.
The court heard Dobinson had previous alcohol and temper-related convictions on his criminal record, and there had been past offending involving a previous partner.
CONVICTED (2023) | Liam White, born 6 July 1988, previously of Tarka Way, Crediton – used a hammer to kill a cat with unexplained injuries.
White claimed he found his pet cat dying and decided to put her out of her misery with a hammer. He then dumped her body in the communal bin area of his block of flats.
His lawyer told the court his actions were inappropriate but “well-intentioned”. She conceded her client had made the wrong decision by not taking the cat to a vet to be euthanised and acted in a brutal way.
The cat’s body was found about two weeks later in a bag for life with her litter tray.
A post-mortem found she had a fractured jaw and femur.
The attack on the unnamed animal came a few weeks after a witness saw White headbutting his then partner. He had subjected the woman to domestic violence on other occasions.
White pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm, battery and causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.
The court heard that White, who is said to have unstable personality disorder, has 17 previous crimes on his record, some for violence, but nothing domestic.
His lawyer said he had now moved on with his life and a new partner.
Judge Anna Richardson said the background to the violence was a volatile relationship. She said how the cat became injured was not part of her sentencing but she accepted White found it that way.
“Rather than take it to a vet you believed it was not going to survive. You did not know that and you responded by killing it using a hammer. I accept you were trying to prevent it suffering further.”
She said White is a good prospect for rehabilitation and made no order to disqualify him from keeping animals in the future.
Sentencing | 20-week suspended sentence with an alcohol abstinence requirement of 120 days. He was also made subject to a five-year restraining order not to contact the victim. He was ordered to complete a Building Better Relationships programme.
CONVICTED (2022) | Rhys Burgess, born c. 1992, of Coryton Close, Brecon LD9 – threw his ex partner’s dog at a window in domestic abuse incident.
Rhys Burgess, who has a history of domestic violence-related offending, was jailed for more than three years after subjecting his ex-partner to a campaign of terror, which culminated in an incident in which he picked up a dog and threw her at a window.
Burgess admitted six charges, which included causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal in relation to the dog, a rescue named Roxy. She was described as “shocked” but wasn’t physically injured.
Roxy was said to be shocked but uninjured after she was picked up by Burgess and hurled with full force at a window. The serial domestic abuser had previously threatened to kill the dog in a campaign of terror against her owner.
He also admitted intentionally strangling his ex partner and unlawfully and maliciously wounding her70-year-old father, who is terminally ill.
He stole a mobile phone and subjected his ex to violence while doing so and is also said to have caused criminal damage to various items, including car wing mirrors, a mobile phone, fan, laptop, printer, desk, earphones, Perspex windows, internal doors and a lock mechanism belonging to the woman. All five offences are alleged to have taken place in Brecon on September 2.
He also pleaded guilty to engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour in relation to the ex partner between August 1, 2021, and March 31, 2022.
He continuously engaged in behaviour which was controlling or coercive, including constantly texting and calling the woman, threatening to kill an animal, family or himself if the relationship ended, and controlling her friendships and places she frequented.
Prosecutor Georgia Donohue told the court the defendant had been in a relationship with the woman for two years.
“It was initially positive but turned toxic,” said Ms Donohue.
“The defendant moved into her property in August of 2021, which is when the relationship turned violent.”
Rescue dog Roxy is believed to have come from Brecon Dog Rescue
Ms Donohue said Burgess first assaulted the woman in August 2021, punching her to the face and strangling her.
A further assault took place in August 2022.
“At the end of the evening he asked her if he could stay the night, but she said he must leave and this angered him,” said Ms Donohue.
“He strangled her and she nearly lost consciousness. He accused her of cheating with her friend; [the woman] said he headbutted her and threatened to kill her, her dad and her dog.”
A further assault occurred at the Brecon Jazz festival the same month when Burgess headbutted the woman outside the Bank pub following an argument and later followed her home, assaulting her in the garden.
The most recent incidents occurred on September 2, with Burgess triggered by a text message he received from the woman after he had been abusive to her over text following a night out.
“He turned up at her property in a highly agitated state,” said Ms Donohue.
“He was shouting and began causing damage, he pushed her across the kitchen; her father attempted to intervene but the defendant pushed [him], causing him to fall and hit his head; he was bleeding heavily from the head.
“He then went into the garden and smashed up an outhouse. [The woman] attempted to call 999 while the defendant disarmed [her father] who had picked up a chopping board.
“He then picked up her dog, Roxy, and threw it at full force at the window. He kicked the bathroom door, making a hole, then grabbed [the woman] by the throat and strangled her until she felt faint.
“He only stopped when [the father] intervened, hitting him with a metal pole. He threw her mobile across the road then ripped out the phone line and internet as he left, causing damage to a wing mirror on her car.”
A danger to women and animals: father of two Rhys Burgess has a history of domestic violence dating back to 2013.
Acting for the father-of-two, Nick Strobl said his client knows there is “something wrong with him”.
“There is very little that can be said in mitigation,” he said. “He is aware his actions that night were a disgrace.
“He works hard and is respected at work, but there is clearly an issue about him in relationships. He told me today he knows there is something wrong with him and he has already taken action to address this while in custody so when he is released he can become a better person.”
Of the September 2 incident, Mr Strobl said: “He went to the property in a rage and damaged as much as he could. The dog was shocked but fine after the incident and no injuries were caused.”
Recorder David Harris said Burgess had previously received a suspended jail sentence for assault and harassment and breaching a restraining order, both in 2013; another suspended sentence in 2018 for criminal damage and threatening behaviour; and he served 12 weeks in prison for assaulting an ex-partner in 2019.
He told Burgess: “The pre-sentence report says there are a number of concerns. It says you need to feel in control and exertion of authority over others bolsters your self-esteem.
“It says you will use strangulation as a way to punish and regain control. The risk you pose to partners has escalated and the commission of these offences is your most grave to date.”
Sentencing | jailed for a total of three years and five months. Nine weeks were added for the animal cruelty charge to be served concurrently. Five-year restraining order, banning him from contacting his ex partner or her father.
On 27 November 2022 Wales Online published an article in which Burgess’s ex, Natasha Morgan ( Roxy’s owner) gave details of her and her dog’s ordeal at the hands of serial domestic abuser Rhys Burgess. The following extract describes the incident where Roxy was targeted by Burgess:
Natasha said Burgess knew her dad was terminally ill with cancer. She said he was aware that in May her father had been given a “few months to live”.
She continued: “As I was getting a towel for my dad’s head he was smashing up whatever he could. He tried to smash the glass in both the front and back doors but he wasn’t able to. He headbutted them so many times. He kicked the doors inside the house. Two doors downstairs had holes in them and one was completely falling off the hinges.
“He went into the living room where the dog was cowering. She’s a rescue so she’s afraid of any shouting and she would get afraid of him when he was angry. As he was shouting he shouted [at the dog]: ‘Oh, and you’ and he picked her up and threw her into the window. I thought she was going to go straight through the window. She bounced off and she didn’t know what to do – she looked so scared. Then she ran away. By the time the police came she was gone. I looked around as I thought she might have been in the garden and she wasn’t.”
Natasha said her dog had never run away before and she worried she might run into the road. However luckily the police found her and she was returned without any obvious injuries.
CONVICTED (2022) | Akeel Bavington-Allen, born c. 2003, formerly of Great Horton, Bradford, West Yorkshire – tortured the family cat and stabbed a chicken to death.
Bavington-Allen’s animal cruelty came to light after one of his family’s chickens was found dead. When CCTV was checked the teenager could be seen chasing after the animals with a garden fork and stabbing one of the chickens several times. When questioned, Bavington-Allen showed no empathy and said he didn’t feel anything at the time.
His mobile phone contained a video of him stabbing the family cat with the footage posted on Snapchat. It’s not known if the cat survived.
Bavington-Allen was said to have been showing a fascination for knives, gang culture and drill music when he was caught with a knife on him while he was attending Shipley College in April 2021.
He admitted having “a shank” on him when he was challenged and claimed he was carrying the knife because he had been assaulted by a group from Leeds.
Bavington-Allen, who had stopped taking his ADHD medication, also poured bleach into the family toothpaste tube at his home, but the corrosive substance was discovered before it caused any harm to anyone.
While on remand at HMP Doncaster Bavington-Allen made threats to kill his parents accusing them of being “snitches”.
Bavington-Allen admitted a series of offences including threats to kill, possession of a bladed article, animal cruelty and attempting to administer a noxious substance.
Sentencing | 42 months in a young offenders institution. Banned from going within 100 metres of his family home for the next five years. Banned from having direct or indirect contact with his mother. Five-year disqualification on keeping animals.
