AARON JOHNSON AND EMMA BAYLISS FROM KINGSWINFORD AND LOWER GORNALL SENTENCED FOR ANIMAL ABUSE AND NEGLECT

In a disturbing case that has shocked the local communities of Kingswinford and Lower Gornall, Aaron Johnson, born around 1985 and residing on Buckingham Grove in Kingswinford, along with Emma Bayliss, born circa 1986 and living on Flavells Lane in Lower Gornall, have been found guilty of neglecting and causing unnecessary suffering to a variety of animals they once kept as pets. The pair abandoned their home, leaving behind a collection of animals including snakes, tortoises, spiders, and fish, in conditions that have been described as both neglectful and heartless.

According to reports, Johnson and Bayliss claimed to have been visiting their animals regularly at their former residence. They insisted to RSPCA inspectors that they checked on the animals every other day, describing them as their 'children.' However, investigators uncovered evidence that contradicted these claims. The RSPCA placed seals on the doors of their property, and these seals remained unbroken for at least two weeks, indicating that no one had entered the premises during that period. This evidence strongly suggested that the couple had not been attending to their animals as they claimed.

Further investigation revealed the true state of the animals left behind. Among the rescued creatures were two Royal Python snakes, both suffering from untreated medical conditions. One of the snakes was found with a mouth infection, while the other was unable to shed its skin properly, indicating severe neglect. Photographs taken at the property depicted a scene of chaos, with animal tanks stacked haphazardly on top of each other, highlighting the neglect and lack of proper care.

During the court proceedings, defense lawyer Elle-May Macey argued that both Johnson and Bayliss were suffering from mental health issues that impaired their ability to think clearly and responsibly. She explained that the couple had initially claimed to return to their home at least twice weekly to care for their animals. The reason for their departure, she said, was not voluntary but driven by threats they received, including threats to kill them, to petrol bomb their house, to slit Mr. Johnson’s throat, and to harm Ms. Bayliss by shoving her uterus down her throat. These threats, she claimed, led them to report the incidents to the police and to seek refuge with Johnson’s sister, as they felt unsafe.

Ms. Macey emphasized that during their time away, the couple was concerned about the welfare of the animals, which they described as their 'children' in many respects. Despite the threats, they maintained that they were performing basic animal care tasks such as changing water, cleaning enclosures, and ensuring the electricity supply remained active. She also noted that the injuries observed on the snakes were already present when they purchased them from an online seller, who had reportedly found the animals abandoned in a bin.

In light of the evidence, both Emma Bayliss and Aaron Johnson each admitted to two charges of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal. The court sentenced them to a 12-month community order, which includes 30 days of rehabilitation activities. Additionally, they were fined £334, ordered to pay costs and a surcharge, and most notably, they received a ten-year ban on keeping any animals in the future. The case has raised serious concerns about animal welfare and the responsibilities of pet owners in the local area.