DAVID ROURKE'S HORRIFIC CRIME IN NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE: SHIH TZU CHARLIE SET ABLAZE AND BEATEN TO DEATH

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Newcastle upon Tyne, David Rourke, a resident of Farne Terrace, was found guilty of heinous animal cruelty involving his three-year-old shih tzu, Charlie. The incident took place in March 2017, when Charlie was discovered dead in the woods behind Mead Walk in the Walker area of Newcastle.

According to reports, Charlie's lifeless body was found inside a bag that had been deliberately set on fire. The fire was extinguished by firefighters called to the scene, and it was during this intervention that the animal's tragic fate was uncovered. The post-mortem examination revealed that Charlie had suffered a severe skull fracture caused by blunt force trauma to the head. The injuries were so severe that they resulted in death before the dog was set ablaze. It remains unclear whether Charlie was struck once with immense force or multiple times in the same area, but the damage was undeniably fatal.

Rourke, who was absent during the trial, was convicted in his absence of failing to provide humane euthanasia for his pet and neglecting his dog's welfare. During the investigation, Rourke refused to comment when questioned and pleaded not guilty at the initial hearing. When he failed to appear for the trial, the case was heard without him, leading to his conviction.

In mitigation, the court heard that Rourke admitted to hitting Charlie once with a hammer, intending to end his suffering without causing unnecessary pain. He explained to officers that he could no longer care for Charlie and had attempted to rehome him with family members, but these efforts were unsuccessful. Rourke claimed he was unsure of what to do next and did not seek further help. His absence from court was attributed to work commitments, as he was working away at the time.

Inspector Cathy Maddison of the RSPCA expressed her distress over the case, stating, “Everyone involved in this case has found it upsetting to work on. I’d like to thank them all. We’ve been in the dark all the way through the investigation about what actually happened to Charlie and why as Rourke refused to give us any information. Whatever possesses someone to think this is an appropriate way to end a dog’s life is going to remain a mystery to me.”

As part of his sentencing, Rourke received a 12-month community order, was ordered to complete 120 hours of unpaid work, and was fined £750 to cover costs. Additionally, he was disqualified from keeping any animals for ten years, a measure aimed at preventing similar tragedies in the future. The case has left a lasting impact on those involved and highlights the ongoing issues of animal cruelty in the region.