ROBERT ORAM AND EMMA BARKER'S HORRIFIC CRIME IN CORBY: DOG DROWNING AND BURIED IN THE WOODS

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Corby, two individuals, Robert Oram and Emma Barker, have been implicated in the brutal killing of a dog, an incident that has garnered significant attention from animal welfare authorities and the local public alike.

Robert Oram, born on July 31, 1986, previously resided at Reigate Walk in Corby, with the postal code NN18 9JP. By 2020, he had moved to Birch Way in Stranraer, with the postal code DG9 7TJ. His former partner, Emma Barker, born on November 3, 1988, also lived in Corby, at Wick Close, with the postal code NN18 8DF. The duo's involvement in the cruelty towards the dog has been a matter of intense investigation and court proceedings.

The case dates back to 2012 when Oram, who has a history of violent behavior, was found to have committed a particularly heinous act against a Staffordshire bull terrier named Tyson. According to reports, Oram held the dog underwater in a bath until Tyson drowned. This act took place at the flat he shared with Emma Barker, who was pregnant at the time, and her seven-year-old son. The cruelty was not only in the act itself but also in the aftermath, where Oram wrapped Tyson’s body in a sheet and polythene bags, leaving it at the foot of the stairs in their home. The intention was to allow the boy to say goodbye when he returned from school, a detail that underscores the disturbing nature of the incident.

Following the dog's death, Oram arranged a makeshift funeral in the nearby woods, claiming it was to give Tyson some dignity. The RSPCA prosecutor, Kevin McCole, explained that the couple decided to drown Tyson because they believed they could not afford to have him euthanized, as they were both on benefits. Oram also justified the act by claiming that Tyson was a “useless” guard dog, having failed to protect him during a burglary. The postmortem examination revealed bruising consistent with force applied to Tyson’s skull, indicating that the dog likely struggled and suffered in the moments before losing its life. Oram admitted to holding Tyson underwater for approximately two minutes and claimed the dog did not resist, although the evidence suggested otherwise.

During court proceedings, Oram initially denied drowning Tyson when questioned by an RSPCA inspector in February 2012. However, he later admitted to drowning the dog and had previously claimed to have given Tyson to a friend. The court was also informed that Oram had dumped Tyson’s body in Northampton’s Kingswood area. It was further revealed that Oram had prior convictions for violence, adding to the severity of his character assessment.

Defense lawyer John Whiston attempted to mitigate Oram’s actions by suggesting that Tyson’s behavior had changed after being hit by a vehicle and that the dog had bitten Oram during a burglary, which contributed to his decision to drown the animal. Whiston also mentioned that since news of the trial had become public, Oram had received death threats directed at his baby daughter via Facebook, highlighting the intense public reaction to the case.

Oram pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to Tyson. The court sentenced him to 18 weeks in prison, with Magistrate Chairman Mr. Russell Watson emphasizing the suffering Tyson endured in his final moments. The court acknowledged the aggravating factors, including the animal’s significant distress and the involvement of children. The initial sentencing guideline was 26 weeks, but due to Oram’s early guilty plea, the sentence was reduced. Outside the courtroom, RSPCA inspector Clint Davies criticized the sentence, calling for harsher penalties and a lifetime ban on animal ownership, which was not granted in this case.

Emma Barker, who was also involved, denied any failure to prevent unnecessary suffering and was scheduled for a separate trial, the details of which were not reported in the press. The case has left a lasting impact on the community of Corby, raising questions about animal cruelty and the need for stricter enforcement of animal protection laws.