PAUL KELLY OF LEEDS SENTENCED FOR ANIMAL CRUELTY AND ARSON IN YORKSHIRE

Paul Kelly, born around 1969 and resident of Longroyd View, Beeston, Leeds LS11 5ET, was convicted in 2019 for heinous acts involving his pet dog. During a drug-induced psychotic episode after taking synthetic Spice, Kelly murdered and mutilated his pet. Leeds Crown Court heard that Kelly decapitated his dog and then set the animal's head alight in a bin.

Duncan Ritchie, the prosecutor, stated that Kelly's girlfriend visited his home on October 10, 2018, and discovered the dog’s headless body in the living room. Kelly reportedly told her that the dog had been possessed. He then burned the dog's head in a bin, placed the remaining body on a sheet, and took it to a wooded area.

Following this, Kelly caused significant damage to his home by setting fire to a gas meter cupboard. A neighbour observed smoke emanating from the terraced property as Kelly was seen walking away. Firefighters arriving at the scene found the living room intact, but they reported that two fire alarms had been removed from the house.

Kelly, noted as a career criminal and drug addict, also attempted to commit arson the following morning by trying to set fire to a large detached house in Morley where three people were sleeping.

He pleaded guilty to the arson charges. Kelly has an extensive criminal history, including a 1995 sentence of 11 years for armed robbery.

In sentencing, Kelly received an 18-week prison term for causing unnecessary suffering to an animal and was banned indefinitely from keeping any animals. He also received an extended prison sentence of 12 years for the other offences, including arson.