KIEREN MILLEDGE FROM CHELMSFORD SENTENCED FOR BRUTAL ANIMAL CRUELTY ON SOUTHEND-ON-SEA TRAIN

Kieren Luke Milledge, born on August 17, 1994, who was previously residing in Chelmsford but had moved to Swanage Road, Southend-on-Sea SS2 5HY as of January 2018, has been convicted of a severe and prolonged attack on an elderly Staffordshire Bull Terrier named Ronnie. The incident took place aboard a train traveling between Braintree and Witham on October 10, 2016, and the aftermath of this assault has led to significant legal consequences for Milledge.

According to reports, Milledge subjected Ronnie to a violent and sustained attack that was so brutal it caused the dog to lose control of his bowels. The attack was captured in CCTV footage, which showed the horrifying extent of the cruelty inflicted upon the helpless animal. The footage, recorded around 10:30 pm, depicted Milledge violently hanging Ronnie by his lead, then swinging him forcefully against the train wall. The footage further revealed Milledge placing the dog on a seat and pushing his foot against Ronnie’s face, an act that appeared to be an attempt to suffocate or choke the animal.

Lesley Chips, the prosecutor, described the attack in court, stating, “The CCTV shows he was beating the dog with his hands, knees, and feet. He was completely lifting the dog off the floor by his neck and he was losing consciousness as he was flung around the room. He was pushing his foot against the dog’s head and pulling the lead, which appears to be a choke chain. This was a continued and brutal attack.”

The incident caused chaos on the train, with other passengers witnessing the abuse. One witness reportedly said they could hear Milledge calling the dog the c-word during the assault. The train staff were compelled to cancel the service after discovering the dog’s excrement on the seats and walls of the carriage, a direct result of the stress and trauma Ronnie endured.

Sadly, Ronnie died three days after the attack, with reports indicating he appeared to choke. His family, unaware of the attack at the time, buried him without knowing the cause of his sudden decline. The dog’s body was recovered following the incident, but no post-mortem examination was conducted.

Milledge’s cruelty was further documented by his own social media activity, as he posted a photograph of himself with Ronnie on Facebook, which drew public outrage. The court found him guilty of animal cruelty and imposed a sentence of 21 weeks in prison. Additionally, he received eight weeks for breaching a suspended sentence order and six months for possession of a bladed weapon. He was also ordered to pay a £150 victim surcharge and was given an indefinite ban on owning animals.

Following the sentencing, PETA UK’s director, Elisa Allen, issued a statement condemning Milledge’s actions. She emphasized the importance of addressing psychological issues, stating, “Anyone who is capable of this level of violence is clearly missing an empathy chip and poses a serious risk both to humans and animals. Although Essex will be a safer place while Mr. Milledge is behind bars, it’s imperative that, in addition to being imprisoned and kept away from animals, he be required to undergo mandatory counselling. His psychological issues must be addressed.”