HARRY TABERNER FROM ALTRINCHAM JAILED FOR CRUELTY TO CAT IN CHICKERELL

In a disturbing case of animal cruelty, Harry Taberner, a 30-year-old man residing on Stamford Avenue in Altrincham, Greater Manchester, has been sentenced to prison for inflicting severe harm on a defenseless feline. The incident took place on January 11, 2021, in the town of Chickerell, where Taberner was responsible for caring for a domestic cat named Tallulah, a protected tabby.

According to court reports, Taberner's actions resulted in significant suffering for the animal, with injuries that indicated deliberate harm rather than accidental injury. Tallulah sustained injuries to the subcutaneous tissues of her back and neck, which led to considerable fluid buildup and pain. Veterinarians examining the cat observed areas of fur loss and skin abrasions, and they emphasized that such injuries could not have occurred without human involvement. The evidence pointed to a brutal assault that caused Tallulah considerable distress and physical damage.

Witnesses who observed Tallulah on the morning of January 12, 2021, reported that the cat appeared distressed, with wet fur and missing patches of hair, prompting concerns among those who saw her. The distress and injuries prompted an immediate response from animal welfare authorities.

Despite the seriousness of the case, Taberner did not attend his scheduled court appearance at Weymouth Magistrates' Court in May 2023. He was subsequently found guilty in his absence on May 25, following a prosecution brought forward by the RSPCA. A warrant for his arrest was issued, and he was later apprehended.

On Tuesday, July 18, at Chester Magistrates' Court, Taberner was sentenced to 20 weeks in prison for the animal cruelty offense. In addition to his prison sentence, he was ordered to pay costs amounting to £128. The court also imposed a ban on him owning or keeping any animals for a period of five years, reflecting the severity of his actions.

Furthermore, the court considered additional charges related to his failure to surrender to custody on two separate occasions in January and March of the same year. For these breaches, Taberner received an additional one-week prison sentence for each incident, which was added to his initial sentence, bringing the total incarceration period to 22 weeks.

During the proceedings, Taberner pleaded guilty to the charges, including the failure to surrender to custody, acknowledging his misconduct. The case highlights the ongoing efforts of animal welfare organizations and the justice system to combat cruelty and protect vulnerable animals from harm.