WAYNE KEIGHTLEY OF MELTON MOWBRAY SENTENCED FOR CRUELTY AFTER THROWING PUPPY FROM THIRD-FLOOR WINDOW
| Red Rose Database
Melton Mowbray Animal Abuser
In a disturbing case of animal cruelty that has shocked the community of Melton Mowbray, Wayne Keightley, born on July 5, 1974, and residing on Rutland Street, was convicted in 2016 of causing severe suffering to a nine-week-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier named Gypsy. The incident took place when Keightley, who has a known history of drug abuse, deliberately threw the young puppy out of the window of his third-floor flat, an act that has drawn widespread condemnation.
According to court proceedings, Keightley, who was identified as a habitual cocaine user, caused the puppy to suffer multiple injuries after smashing a window with a vase and then hurling Gypsy from the height of approximately twenty feet. The fall resulted in injuries to her face, leg, and abdomen. Despite the severity of her injuries, Gypsy has since made a recovery, thanks to prompt veterinary care.
The court was informed that shortly after the act, Keightley jumped out of the window himself, sustaining only a fractured ankle. Witnesses described seeing him on the ground outside his residence, in a state of rambling confusion, attempting to drag himself away from the scene. During police and paramedic interviews, Keightley claimed that he had taken a line of cocaine a few hours before the incident and had consumed three cans of lager on the same day. However, these claims were not accepted by the court.
Further allegations suggested that seven men had entered Keightley's property to steal watches and had been stabbing him in the hands with a pole fitted with a spear-head whenever he tried to retrieve Gypsy. These assertions were dismissed as unsubstantiated during the trial.
As a consequence of his actions, Keightley was ordered to surrender Gypsy, who was confiscated by authorities. Additionally, he was banned from owning any pets for a period of three years. The court sentenced him to ten weeks in prison for the animal cruelty charge, with an additional four weeks for possessing a knife at the time of the incident, which resulted in a suspended sentence for the latter offense. Keightley served half of his 14-week sentence in custody and was released on license for the remainder.
RSPCA inspector Andy Bostock, who led the investigation, expressed his concern: “When Gypsy was found on the floor, she was obviously in pain and was very distressed. She was immediately taken to a vet and treated for injuries to her face, leg, and abdomen. She is a very, very lucky dog to have not been more seriously injured, considering also how young and delicate she was at nine weeks old.”
He added, “There is absolutely no excuse to throw an animal out of a window like this – Gypsy would have been terrified and in pain from the various injuries she received. She got off lightly and is now thriving in her foster home.”
Keightley's ban from keeping any animals was set to last three years, a period that expired in September 2019. This case highlights the ongoing issues of animal cruelty and substance abuse within the community of Melton Mowbray, prompting calls for stricter enforcement and greater awareness.
According to court proceedings, Keightley, who was identified as a habitual cocaine user, caused the puppy to suffer multiple injuries after smashing a window with a vase and then hurling Gypsy from the height of approximately twenty feet. The fall resulted in injuries to her face, leg, and abdomen. Despite the severity of her injuries, Gypsy has since made a recovery, thanks to prompt veterinary care.
The court was informed that shortly after the act, Keightley jumped out of the window himself, sustaining only a fractured ankle. Witnesses described seeing him on the ground outside his residence, in a state of rambling confusion, attempting to drag himself away from the scene. During police and paramedic interviews, Keightley claimed that he had taken a line of cocaine a few hours before the incident and had consumed three cans of lager on the same day. However, these claims were not accepted by the court.
Further allegations suggested that seven men had entered Keightley's property to steal watches and had been stabbing him in the hands with a pole fitted with a spear-head whenever he tried to retrieve Gypsy. These assertions were dismissed as unsubstantiated during the trial.
As a consequence of his actions, Keightley was ordered to surrender Gypsy, who was confiscated by authorities. Additionally, he was banned from owning any pets for a period of three years. The court sentenced him to ten weeks in prison for the animal cruelty charge, with an additional four weeks for possessing a knife at the time of the incident, which resulted in a suspended sentence for the latter offense. Keightley served half of his 14-week sentence in custody and was released on license for the remainder.
RSPCA inspector Andy Bostock, who led the investigation, expressed his concern: “When Gypsy was found on the floor, she was obviously in pain and was very distressed. She was immediately taken to a vet and treated for injuries to her face, leg, and abdomen. She is a very, very lucky dog to have not been more seriously injured, considering also how young and delicate she was at nine weeks old.”
He added, “There is absolutely no excuse to throw an animal out of a window like this – Gypsy would have been terrified and in pain from the various injuries she received. She got off lightly and is now thriving in her foster home.”
Keightley's ban from keeping any animals was set to last three years, a period that expired in September 2019. This case highlights the ongoing issues of animal cruelty and substance abuse within the community of Melton Mowbray, prompting calls for stricter enforcement and greater awareness.