CONSETT CHICKEN KILLER SPARED JAIL
A man who subjected a chicken to torture by forcing it to consume whisky and inhale cannabis fumes has avoided jail sentencing.In the early hours of July 7, Gary Maxwell, residing in a homeless shelter in Consett, County Durham, killed a chicken after placing it inside a holdall.
The next morning, he stole another hen from an allotment and repeatedly struck its head against a shed to break its neck.
Maxwell, aged 21, faced potential imprisonment after admitting to two counts of animal abuse.
Magistrates in Consett sentenced him to an 18-month community order with supervision and ordered him to pay £8 in compensation to the allotment owner.
He will not be required to pay the £350 prosecution costs owing to limited financial means.
Prosecutor Janet Coxon explained that the costs were inflated because a pathologist examined the hens, which is unusual in cases like this.
It was also disclosed that Maxwell was intoxicated by alcohol and drugs at the time of the offenses.
Defense lawyer John Grierson stated that Maxwell is working to improve his situation, with an upcoming interview for a course at Gateshead College.
He confirmed Maxwell is now drug- and alcohol-free and adhering to probation requirements.
Magistrate Mary Hayes recognized the severity of the case but commended Maxwell’s efforts to stay off substances.
She decided not to send him to prison, stressing the importance of him no longer engaging in animal cruelty.
