DOMINIC JACKSON AND LAURA SMITH'S HORRIFIC PET ABUSE IN STANLEY REVEALED

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Stanley, Dominic Jackson, born October 15, 1997, and his co-defendant Laura Smith, born around 1992, have been found guilty of severe animal cruelty and neglect. Jackson, known for his serial violent abuse towards animals, was convicted of multiple charges related to the mistreatment, injury, and neglect of several pets kept at their shared residence on Cotswold Terrace.

Jackson’s actions included inflicting blunt force trauma and physical violence on his animals, which led to serious injuries and, in some cases, death. The RSPCA launched an investigation after reports surfaced that Jackson had been seen kicking cats, prompting inspectors to visit the property on January 28, 2023. During their visit, inspectors Rowena Proctor and Heidi Cleaver discovered a distressing scene: animals living in deplorable conditions, some visibly underweight and suffering.

Inspector Proctor described the scene vividly, stating, “The living room smelled strongly of cat urine and was unclean throughout, with very dirty litter trays. Several cats appeared to be very underweight, with ribs and pelvis felt with ease. One particular cat was of major concern, lying on top of a corner unit approximately 7.5 feet tall, seemingly deceased. I was able to reach her and found she was still alive but weak and lethargic. Her name was Missy, and she was the skinniest of all the cats.”

All the animals present—five cats named Missy, Toby, Tabby, Felix, and Simba, along with a crested gecko called Bumblebee—were immediately taken for veterinary treatment and later seized by police as evidence. The veterinary assessments revealed that all the cats were suffering from neglect, with four being severely underweight. Fortunately, with proper care, they showed signs of recovery in the following weeks.

Further investigation uncovered a history of previous pets belonging to Jackson, including a guinea pig, a ferret, three cats named Tibby, BamBam, Bambi, a black terrier-type puppy called Lulu, and an unidentified animal species. Many of these animals had either sustained unexplained injuries or had died without veterinary intervention. For instance, Tibby was found to have a broken back leg after reportedly falling from a bed while Jackson was alone in the room, and the ferret named Maggie and the guinea pig were found dead in their cages, with Jackson claiming other animals had fallen or been found dead behind furniture. Lulu, who had suffered a head trauma, was rehomed by the RSPCA.

Jackson admitted to physically assaulting some of his pets, including punching Toby after he ate another cat’s food, which resulted in Toby losing an eye. He also confessed to slapping Missy and Felix but could not explain the injuries or deaths of other animals. An expert veterinarian testified that none of the injuries appeared accidental, suggesting deliberate abuse. “In my opinion, Missy, Toby, Felix, Simba, and Tabby have all been caused to suffer through physical abuse,” the vet stated. “They experienced fear, distress, and pain over variable periods.”

Most of the animals removed from the property were handed over to the RSPCA and have since been rehomed. The court also issued a deprivation order, ensuring any remaining or newly acquired animals would be seized and rehomed to prevent further suffering.

Sentencing saw Jackson receive an eight-week custodial sentence, suspended for two years, on each of the three charges, with all sentences running concurrently. He was also ordered to pay £360 in costs and a victim surcharge of £154. Most notably, Jackson was handed a lifetime ban on keeping animals, reflecting the severity of his crimes. During mitigation, Jackson claimed vulnerability and poor mental health, asserting that others were responsible for harming the animals at his home.

In a separate case, Laura Smith, also known as Laura Jackson or Laura Holmes, pleaded guilty in September 2023 to one offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. She received a conditional discharge and a one-year ban from keeping animals, which is set to expire in September 2024.

Inspector Proctor expressed her distress over the case, stating, “This investigation was extremely upsetting and disturbing. It became clear that a significant number of animals had suffered neglect and cruelty at the hands of Jackson. He had a duty of care but instead inflicted violence and injuries, which is deeply troubling for the community of Stanley.”