PAUL CARRICK CONVICTED IN BISHOP AUCKLAND FOR ANIMAL CRUELTY

Paul Carrick, born on 19 December 1979 and formerly residing in Gurlish West, Coundon, Bishop Auckland, was involved in a brutal case of animal cruelty in December 2021 that has recently come to light. Despite the incident occurring over a year ago, it has not yet been widely reported, prompting efforts to shed light on the matter.

A neighbour reported being awakened by the sounds of an animal in severe pain. Looking out her window, she witnessed Carrick viciously attacking a terrified cat, believed to be named Felix (pictured). Although Felix's body has never been recovered, it is presumed he did not survive. The neighbour immediately confronted Carrick, who claimed that his pregnant girlfriend was responsible for the cat’s distress and stated that the cat was "spraying everywhere." Carrick also asserted that he had scared the cat away and denied harming him.

The neighbour could find no evidence of Felix at the scene but later obtained CCTV footage from another neighbour, which clearly showed Carrick's actions. The footage depicted Carrick taking rolls of carpet away on the same day, leading the witness to believe that he might have clandestinely disposed of the cat’s body inside the carpets.

Carrick, who is employed as a roads maintenance worker, appeared before Newton Aycliffe Magistrates Court on 25 August 2022. He received a 23-week suspended prison sentence, was ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work, and participate in a 30-day Rehabilitation Activity Requirement. Additionally, he was directed to pay £2,452 in costs and victim surcharge. Carrick was also given a lifetime ban on keeping animals. The magistrates chose not to impose immediate custody after Carrick explained that he was acting as a carer for his girlfriend, who allegedly has mental health issues.

An update from 8 September 2022, reported by BBC News, indicated that Carrick now resides in Annfield Plain, County Durham. RSPCA inspector Christine Nisbet visited Carrick’s address after a public complaint. She reviewed CCTV footage from a nearby security camera and confirmed his identity. During her search, she examined two wheelie bins in Carrick’s yard and a neighboring property but found no trace of Felix. A veterinarian reviewing the footage stated it was "very likely" that the cat died as a result of the attack. The inspector acknowledged that Carrick admitted to hitting Felix against a wall but denied stamping on him.

A vet’s statement described the incident, noting that Felix was slammed into the wall with considerable force and was thrown to the ground. The vet explained, "It can be clearly seen on the footage that [the cat] was slammed into a wall with considerable force and was thrown to the ground. Once the cat was on the ground we cannot see him, but given the man leans on the wall where the cat landed and stamps in the same position three times, disappears from view and reappears stamping again, I think it is reasonable to assume he was stamping on the cat."

By October 2022, additional information emerged from an anonymous source suggesting Carrick is now living in Horden, Peterlee, with his girlfriend Gemma Gray (also known as Jemima Doherty). The source claimed that his girlfriend was never pregnant and identified her as a heavy cannabis user. Allegedly, claims in court about Carrick caring for her are false, as he works away from home. Currently, Carrick is employed as a site supervisor for groundworks companies across the UK, mainly based in Reading. The source also mentioned that Carrick and his girlfriend previously owned a couple of dogs, including a pug that died last year, though the cause of death remains unknown.