MOST EVIL: STEVEN TO AND CHARLOTTE PLIMMER SENTENCED IN SHREWSBURY FOR CRUELTY TO KITTENS

Steven Sai Chong To, born on March 21, 1992, and his wife Charlotte Plimmer, born November 15, 1996, both residing at 13 Theatre Royal Apartments, 15 Shoplatch, Shrewsbury SY1 1HR, have been convicted of cruelty offences involving four kittens.

Steven To, a takeaway worker, was responsible for killing two kittens and subjecting the remaining two to months of abuse, while his wife, Charlotte Plimmer (née Plimmer), failed to intervene during the ongoing cruelty. Between August 2018 and March 2019, the couple inflicted injuries on the kittens, and RSPCA veterinarian Dr. David Martin described the abuse as the worst he had seen in his 22 years of practice.

The court revealed that the four kittens—two eight-week-old named Jin and Sun, and two two-month-olds named Moon and Mew—suffered seizures, broken bones, infections, hair and skin loss, multiple amputations, and tail injuries, with one kitten described as "hanging on by a thread."

Steven To pleaded guilty to three charges of animal cruelty related to harming the cats, while Charlotte Plimmer admitted to four charges of neglect, including failing to provide a safe environment and necessary veterinary care.

Prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, Sara Pratt explained, "The defendants lived together with their kittens in a flat in Shrewsbury. Over the period of August 2018 and March 2019, they acquired a total of four kittens, two of which were killed while in their care, as a result of Steven To’s actions—Jin was nearly 12 weeks old and Mew was five months at the time of death."

The court also listened to details about the kittens’ health. Jin and Sun were registered at Animal Trusts Vets and deemed healthy in August 2018, while Moon and Mew were registered at Copthorne Veterinary Clinic in November 2018. The court was told that on September 14, 2018, Jin died after having a seizure following a phone report to Animal Trust Vets.

On September 21, Sun was X-rayed after being found with a tail “kink,” which, three days later, was severed with her tail hanging off. The couple purchased Moon and Mew in November 2018. Subsequently, Sun was taken to the vet again due to hair and skin loss, and Mew suffered a chin injury that required surgery. Just a week after her chin surgery, Mew was returned with an infected tail fracture, which had torn tendons. Mew was found dead on the kitchen floor days after her tail amputation. An RSPCA post-mortem revealed blunt trauma to her thorax and neck, and external blood loss through her nose.

In early 2019, Moon was starved and returned to veterinary care with a leg fracture in March. Following concerns from vets and the RSPCA, police seized Moon and Sun later that month for investigation.

Dr. Martin’s report confirmed that all four cats sustained "serious injuries," with two dying from "traumatic incidents." He stated, "It is exceptionally unusual to have such a significant incidence of serious trauma in four cats over such a short period of time; in 22 years of veterinary practice, I have never seen or heard of such a high occurrence."

District Judge Kevin Grego emphasized the severity of the case, indicating a lifetime animal ban was necessary for Steven To and criticizing Charlotte Plimmer’s failure to act. The judge said, "There is no doubt that a lifetime ban is necessary for Mr. To, and Mrs. To should not have covered her eyes to the ongoing abuse. She either should have gotten those animals out of the house or ensured it wouldn’t happen again."

He added, "Animal cruelty reflects a corrosive mindset. The suffering of the animals was deliberate—a tragedy that could have been avoided if Charlotte had stepped in. Instead, she accepted her husband's account, despite knowing it was wrong."

Sentencing included: Steven To receiving a 22-week prison sentence suspended for 18 months, 200 hours of unpaid work, 25 days of rehabilitation, a lifetime ban on owning animals, and orders to pay £5,000 in court costs, over £3,500 in veterinary fees, and a £122 surcharge. Charlotte Plimmer was given a 12-month community order, 25 days of rehabilitation, 40 hours of unpaid work, a seven-year ban on keeping animals, and was ordered to pay £390 in costs.