The "sole carer" of two vulnerable women was served a biting remark by a crown court judge after his pets were left to die "extremely painful" deaths.
Paul Wynne, 42, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court this morning, Wednesday, June 28, after he had already pleaded guilty to three charges regarding the treatment of animals in his care. The neglect was so extreme that the decision was made in magistrates' court last month that the case should be heard at crown court.
The ECHO covered Wynne's appearance at court this morning where the prosecutor, appearing on behalf of the RSPCA, detailed the horrific details that resulted in the death of three dogs and four ferrets. You can read the ECHO's full report from the case here.
READ MORE: Man changed door locks to stop partner discovering horrors inside flat
Wynne's mitigation detailed how he was the sole carer for his partner Laura Martin and her mum Marie - and he also had a daughter called Lois who he spoke with every day. Recorder Michael Blakey told Wynne: "I hope the care you express to your family isn't the same as the poor animals."
Peter Mitchell, prosecuting, earlier told the court how on October 29 last year 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. 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 into 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. RSPCA Inspector Louise Showering attended the address on November 1 along with Merseyside Police and re-entered the property.
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 the flat belonged to Ms Martin, who had moved out the flat to look after her sick mum. Wynne told Ms Martin Blue had died of a seizure and he no longer had other dogs inside the property. However when Ms Martin had tried to enter the flat with her sister on October 6, she found the locks had been changed and dog barks could be heard inside. She said she first knew of the horrors when she was contacted by the RSPCA to gain entry to the flat.
The RSPCA repeatedly contacted Wynne, now of Harris Drive, Bootle, but he refused to take calls and cancelled scheduled appointments. 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".
Only one of the dogs could have a post-mortem due to severe emaciation. Lurcher Blue should have weighed between 27-32kg but only weighed 12kg. Dog claw nails and hair were found in its stomach and small intestine suggesting the desperate animal had resorted to cannibalising the other dog, George.
As well as detailing the "immense burden" he held due to being a carer, Chelsey Kearns, defending, told the court Wynne had long suffered from depression which he had managed successfully until now. She said her client accepted sole responsibility for the "prolonged cruelty and neglect" and the suffering of the animals "came from neglect instead of sadism".
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. Recorder Blakey noted the poor animals had "suffered considerably" and had "extremely painful" deaths.
However the judge told Wynne, who appeared in court supported by his dad, he had "weighty caring responsibilities" and had realistic prospects of rehabilitation outside of prison. Recorder Blakey sentenced Wynne to 30 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months. He also issued 20 rehabilitation days, 30 hours of unpaid work and disqualified Wynne from owning any animal for 10 years.
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