PHILIP THOMAS OF BIRKENHEAD SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC ANIMAL ABUSE VIDEOS

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Birkenhead, Philip Thomas, born around 1960 and residing on Beckwith Street, was convicted of possessing highly disturbing and extreme pornography involving his pet dog. The incident came to light when Thomas's partner alerted authorities after receiving distressing videos on his phone, which depicted a sex act performed on his pet Patterdale Terrier, Buddy, by a woman identified as Sarah Joanne Meredith, a dog walker.

Magistrates condemned Thomas as 'depraved' for his involvement in possessing such material. The court heard that the videos showed Meredith engaging in sexual acts with the dog, an act that led to her being spared jail in September 2020 for causing unnecessary suffering to an animal. Despite her leniency, the case against Thomas was far more severe due to the nature of the material he possessed.

Prosecutor Angela Blackmore explained that Merseyside Police responded swiftly after being contacted about Thomas's possession of the videos. During police interviews, Thomas claimed that Meredith had taken the dog for a walk and later admitted to having forwarded the videos to his phone. Blackmore detailed that Thomas stated he did not contact Meredith directly but expressed intentions of assaulting her if he saw her again, revealing a volatile and concerning attitude.

Further investigations uncovered that Thomas had a history of criminal behavior, with convictions spanning from 2003 to 2018. These included offenses related to dishonesty and breaching court orders. His most recent conviction before this case was in May 2018 for begging. The police acted quickly after the initial report, and within hours, Thomas was charged with possessing extreme pornography. Subsequently, he was also charged with handling stolen goods, specifically motorcycles.

Thomas failed to attend his scheduled trial, leading to a conviction in his absence. The court sentenced him to eight weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months, along with 25 days of Rehabilitation Activity Requirements. Additionally, he was ordered to pay costs and charges totaling £637. Magistrate Peter Ashworth emphasized the gravity of the offense, stating, 'We view this as a very serious offence. A very serious and depraved offence. The dog was rightly taken away from you.'

This case has sparked widespread condemnation within the community, highlighting the importance of swift legal action against animal cruelty and the possession of extreme pornography. The disturbing nature of the crimes committed by Philip Thomas underscores the ongoing need for vigilance and enforcement to protect vulnerable animals and uphold moral standards in society.