MATHEW FRIEND'S HORRIFIC CRIME IN OLD SWAN: DOG STABBED TO DEATH AND HIS PAST REVEALED

Mathew Friend, a resident of Old Swan, Liverpool, became the focus of a disturbing criminal case after he was found guilty of causing severe harm to his mother’s pet dog. The incident, which took place on November 9, 2019, shocked the local community and drew significant media attention due to the nature of the crime and Friend’s criminal history.

According to court reports, Friend, born on March 11, 1983, called emergency services that day, claiming he was contemplating self-harm and also admitting to having killed a dog. When police arrived at his home on Haslemere Way, Gateacre, they discovered a small Shih Tzu dog in the kitchen with a knife lodged in her back. Despite efforts by veterinary staff to save her, the dog succumbed to her injuries.

At the time of the police visit, Friend was not present at the scene. Instead, he had gone to Belle Vale Police Station to surrender himself, where he confessed to officers, “I’ve killed my mum’s dog.” This revelation added to the already troubling background of the offender, who has a history of serious criminal convictions.

Friend’s criminal record includes a 2017 conviction for inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, as well as subsequent breaches of the Sex Offenders Register notification requirements. He also served time for breaching a suspended sentence. His legal troubles and mental health issues were highlighted during the court proceedings, with his solicitor explaining that Friend was struggling with mental health difficulties and attempting to self-medicate with alcohol. The solicitor also noted that Friend’s mother, who owned the dog, remains in contact with him and is supportive of his struggles, emphasizing that his actions were not intended to harm her or her pet.

During the trial, Friend pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to an animal. District Judge James Hatton, in sentencing, acknowledged Friend’s ongoing mental health issues and his self-medicating behavior. The judge described the act of stabbing the dog as a deliberate attempt to inflict suffering, noting that the dog’s death was a direct result of the injuries inflicted.

Judge Hatton expressed skepticism about the possibility of rehabilitation, citing Friend’s poor compliance with previous court orders. As a result, he sentenced Friend to 16 weeks in prison and imposed a ten-year ban on keeping animals, which will last until April 2031. The judge also pointed out the delay in bringing the case to court, which he considered an aggravating factor.

However, in an update dated April 22, 2021, the Liverpool Echo reports that Friend successfully appealed his original prison sentence. The court reduced his sentence to a 10-week jail term, which was suspended for 12 months, and ordered him to complete 40 days of Rehabilitation Activity Requirement. Despite this reduction, the ten-year ban on owning animals remains in effect, underscoring the seriousness of the crime and the community’s concern over animal welfare.