REECE GIBBENS FROM LOUGHBOROUGH SENTENCED FOR CRUELTY AFTER DOG LEFT TO STARVE IN LEICESTER FLAT

Reece Owen Gibbens, born on February 5, 1993, and residing at Pinfold Gate in Loughborough LE11 1BE, became the subject of a serious animal cruelty case after it was revealed that he had neglected his pet dog to the point of death. The tragic circumstances unfolded after Gibbens was detained in April 2013 at the Glen Parva youth detention centre, where he was held pending trial on various charges.

Following his release six weeks later, on May 1, 2013, Gibbens did not return to his previous residence in Victoria Street, Leicester. Instead, he moved to Loughborough, leaving behind a series of troubling circumstances that would later come to light. On May 31, a council worker was dispatched to clean Gibbens' Leicester flat, which had become severely neglected and uninhabitable. During this cleaning, the worker discovered the emaciated body of Gibbens' dog, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, lying amidst a pile of rubbish and rotting food in the kitchen.

Kevin McCole, representing the RSPCA, provided detailed testimony during the court proceedings. He described the flat as being in a deplorable state, with faeces scattered across the floor and food that had long since spoiled. The remains of the dog were found in a particularly distressing condition, lying on a heap of refuse. Gibbens was charged with cruelty towards the adult male Staffordshire Bull Terrier, specifically for failing to provide adequate food and care, which ultimately led to the animal's death. Additionally, he was accused of neglecting to monitor the dog during his absence.

Gibbens claimed that he had informed staff at the Glen Parva Young Offender Institute about his dog, but court officials noted that no staff members could recall any such communication. Mr McCole emphasized that Gibbens had made no effort to check on the dog's wellbeing or return to the flat after his release. The case was described as a severe example of abandonment, with the dog suffering for days or even weeks before death. A pathology report confirmed that the dog had been dead for five to seven days before its discovery and had endured significant suffering during that time. It was also noted that the dog had been left without access to water, and it is believed that it had to resort to drinking from the toilet bowl to survive.

In sentencing, Gibbens received a total of 26 weeks in prison, which covered charges of animal cruelty, theft, threatening behaviour, and possession of a knife. Furthermore, he was banned from owning any animals for a period of ten years, with the ban set to expire in April 2024. This case highlights the serious consequences of neglect and cruelty towards animals, and the tragic outcome of Gibbens' failure to care for his pet while in custody and after his release.