SEACROFT MAN CHRIS SILVERTHORNE ABUSES PUPPY IN LEEDS SWARCLIFFE DRIVE

Christopher Silverthorne, also known as Chris Newsome and born around 2002, hails from the Seacroft area of Leeds LS14. He was found guilty in 2023 of subjecting a vulnerable, malnourished puppy to horrific acts of violence on multiple occasions. The cruelty was captured in at least three separate videos, which showed Silverthorne physically abusing a Boxer-type puppy in the garden of a property located on Swarcliffe Drive in Leeds.

One of the most disturbing incidents was recorded in CCTV footage from March 2023. The footage depicted Silverthorne approaching the garden path before kicking the puppy, named Ace, on his right hind leg. He also struck the dog on the chest with his hand, then grabbed the side of Ace’s face and tipped over his water bowl, forcing the puppy to drink from the ground. A veterinarian who reviewed the footage expressed concern that Ace could suffer from lifelong emotional trauma due to the unnecessary suffering inflicted upon him.

Further videos, taken on April 19, showed Silverthorne dragging Ace by the neck and hitting him twice on the side of his face. These acts of cruelty demonstrated a pattern of abuse that caused significant harm to the young dog.

On May 20, RSPCA inspector Adam Dickinson, accompanied by police officers, visited Silverthorne’s residence. During the visit, the inspector seized Ace and took him to a veterinary clinic for assessment. Dickinson described the puppy’s condition, noting that Ace drank continuously for over two minutes while waiting at the vet’s office. The dog reacted nervously to sudden movements and distanced himself from the inspector. The vet’s examination revealed that Ace was severely underweight, with visible ribs and two areas of hair loss. His overall body condition score was rated at just three out of nine, indicating poor health.

Veterinary experts who reviewed the CCTV footage confirmed that Silverthorne had inflicted harm on Ace at least six times, including striking, kicking, and dragging him by the neck without supporting his weight. The vet stated there was no reasonable explanation for Silverthorne’s behavior, emphasizing that the owner caused unnecessary suffering through these acts of violence.

Despite the severity of the abuse, Silverthorne was only handed a 10-year ban from owning animals as part of his sentence. The court also noted that while Ace likely experienced momentary pain during each incident, the emotional impact of the abuse could have lifelong consequences. The veterinarian highlighted that the puppy’s visible ribs and hair loss should have prompted any responsible owner to seek veterinary care, which Silverthorne failed to do.

Following the court proceedings, Silverthorne signed over custody of Ace, who is now set to be rehomed to a safe and caring environment. The case has garnered significant attention, with reports from BBC News and the Yorkshire Evening Post. It was also noted that Silverthorne, a father of one, has now taken his girlfriend Chloe Newsome’s surname. The court’s ruling included a comprehensive ban on owning any animals for a decade, aiming to prevent any future cruelty.