CONVICTED (2023) | Paul James Roberts, aka Paul Wood or Paul Bennett, born c. 1981, of Broadoak Road, Wythenshawe, Manchester – starved his loyal family dog to death over several weeks.
Roberts, who runs a hard landscaping business called Revolution Custom Landscapes, pleaded guilty to two charges of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, namely that he failed to ensure the eight-year-old dog, Delboy, was provided with adequate nutrition and failed to investigate and address his poor condition and weight loss.
Roberts was prosecuted by the RSPCA after Delboy was taken dead to a veterinary practice on February 22, 2022. He weighed just 27.1 pounds and pictures (not published in the source article, the Manchester Evening News, due to their upsetting nature) show his emaciated condition that a post-mortem examination concluded was due to starvation.
The RSPCA said the court heard how Delboy was collected alive from Roberts’ home on 21 February by someone who knew the defendant after it was reported the dog had ‘been starved and wasn’t in a good state’. He died overnight before he could be seen by a vet.
An investigation was then launched by the RSPCA. One vet said in evidence: “Delboy’s physical condition on presentation was emotionally distressing and upset a number of staff members.”
Speaking after the case, the RSPCA said: “The images of Delboy are so distressing and it is clear from them he had been woefully neglected for some considerable time.
“We would urge anyone who is struggling to look after their pets to seek appropriate help and advice in a timely manner. It is totally unacceptable to allow pets to deteriorate into the appalling condition that Delboy was found in.”
Sentencing | 21-month custodial, suspended for two years; four-month curfew. Disqualified from keeping any animal as a pet for 10 years (expires November 2033).
Additional Information
Paul Wood is active on TikTok, where he uploads videos promoting his hard landscaping business and others showing zany miming and dancing performances. His usernames are goofystyle1 and revolutioncustom (the latter account is currently deactivated).
Wood’s apparently successful business, which he promotes as ‘Revolution Custom Landscapes Ltd’ (there is no trace of this ‘company’ on Companies House), offers flagging, fencing, blockpaving, turfing, pressure cleaning and regrouting.
