MONSHUR ALOM, COMPANY DIRECTOR FROM CLACTON-ON-SEA, SENTENCED FOR ANIMAL NEGLECT IN CHELMSFORD

Monshur Alom, a company director and furniture dealer from Golf Green Road, Jaywick, Clacton-on-Sea, born on 28 November 1981, was convicted in 2019 of animal welfare violations. He had exposed his Bengal cats to a scorching 31-degree heat and left ducks outside without fresh food or water for more than a week.

During an eight-day period in June 2018, Chelmsford magistrates viewed distressing images of the animals' living conditions before RSPCA inspectors had contact with Alom. The investigation revealed that Alom kept the animals at his Jaywick address while he was renovating his other property in Sidney Street, Stepney, London, to better accommodate both the animals and his expanding family.

Alom, who trades as Royal London Antiques and is the director of Cheque Bid Ltd, admitted to three breaches of the Animal Welfare Act. Prosecutor Lauren Bond described him as “clearly unfit” to care for animals. The animals—exotic Bengal cats and ducks—were later taken into RSPCA custody, as he did not possess the necessary licenses.

Ms. Bond recounted that: “The inspector was overwhelmed by the heat in the conservatory and the ammonia smell burnt his nose. There was blood over the floor as though the cats had dragged raw meat, but there was no sign of a carcass. There was a trough of water which was bright green, and large litter trays that appeared very full. Outside, the ducks were confined to a one metre by three metre alleyway. There was liquid faeces on the floor and it smelt disgusting.”

This was Alom’s first appearance in court concerning animal welfare issues. Mitigating solicitor Mrs. Scoot explained that Alom’s life had become overwhelming, and he had been unwell, acknowledging his actions as a form of neglect. She added: “He’s had the cats for two years, and there was never any concern or need for the RSPCA to intervene until now. The cats weren’t litter trained, so he kept them in his property during renovations to improve their living conditions.”

She further stated: “He had the ducks for a significantly shorter time. A friend was planning to kill them, so he took the ducks intending to find another home for them. He did not plan for them to be kept long-term.”

In sentencing, Alom received 180 hours of unpaid work, was ordered to pay £685 in costs, and was banned from keeping animals for ten years. The case was reported by the Southend Standard.