GEORGE BARRETT FACES JUSTICE IN FAREHAM FOR HORRIFIC CAT NEGLECT

In a disturbing case of animal cruelty, George Barrett, a resident of Fareham, was found guilty of neglecting his pet cat, Thomas, leading to the animal's tragic death. Barrett, born on August 31, 1998, and residing on Frosthole Close in Fareham PO15, was employed as a professional chef at Cam's Mill in Fareham. His failure to provide adequate care for Thomas between September 16, 2017, and November 23, 2017, resulted in a court case that highlighted the severity of his neglect.

According to the investigation led by RSPCA chief inspector Jen Ride, Barrett's neglect was described as horrific and ultimately fatal for Thomas. The inspector detailed that Barrett abandoned his cat in his flat, leaving behind only a single bowl of food and a bowl of water before locking the door and leaving the premises. It is believed that Thomas survived for several weeks by drinking from the toilet, a desperate measure in the absence of proper nourishment.

When Thomas's body was finally discovered, it was in a state of advanced decomposition, curled up in his cat carrier, reduced to skin and bones. The inspector emphasized the tragic nature of the case, stating, “This was a case of horrific neglect which sadly led to the death of Thomas. It’s thought that Thomas managed to survive for a number of weeks by drinking from the toilet. When his partially decomposed body was discovered he was curled up in his cat carrier just skin and bones.”

Ride expressed her disappointment that such suffering could have been prevented, adding, “The saddest part of all is this could have been avoided and Thomas could still be alive today. There is never an excuse for simply walking away and leaving an animal to face a long slow death from starvation.”

In court, Barrett pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to Thomas. His sentencing included ten hours of unpaid work, ten days of rehabilitation activities, and a total cost of £285 in fines and charges. Additionally, he was disqualified from keeping animals for five years, a ban that will expire in April 2023.

Following the conviction, inquiries were made to Cam's Mill regarding any internal disciplinary actions against Barrett. The management responded, stating, “Whilst I wholeheartedly do not approve of animal neglect, George had been sentenced in a court of law, and has been punished for his crime with no jail sentence. The judge saw fit not to detain him. We have dealt with the issue internally, and as far as we are concerned, the case is closed.”