ALEXANDER PHILLIPS FROM BISHOP’S STORTFORD INVOLVED IN HORRIFIC ANIMAL CRUELTY IN BATH AND STOURBRIDGE

Alexander Charles Phillips, born on October 1, 1999, and previously residing on Barrells Down Road in Bishop’s Stortford, was involved in a disturbing case of animal cruelty that spanned multiple locations, including Bath and Stourbridge. As of December 2021, he was living on Oldfield Lane, Bath, with the postcode BA2 3NP. The case revealed a series of heinous acts committed by Phillips against a family’s pet cat, which he claimed was intended to 'teach it a lesson.'

According to court records, Phillips, who was at the time a sixth-form boarder at Old Swinford Hospital School in Stourbridge, West Midlands, engaged in a brutal assault on a 10-year-old family cat named Mollie. The incident was triggered after Mollie scratched Phillips, an act that seemingly provoked his violent response. The prosecution detailed how Phillips abducted Mollie from her home and subjected her to a series of torturous acts.

Witnesses and court testimonies described how Phillips repeatedly kicked Mollie, attempting to drown her and strangulate her in a horrifying sequence of cruelty. The attack culminated in him suffocating the animal and then hiding her body behind a sofa in the house. The prosecutor described the attack as having 'overtones of a Stephen King novel,' emphasizing the sinister and sadistic nature of the cruelty. District Judge Steven Jonas condemned Phillips’ actions as 'one of the worst cases of animal cruelty I have ever come across.'

Mr. Stephen Blower, representing the prosecution, explained that Phillips believed Mollie had provoked him by scratching him, which led to the violent assault. A few days after the attack, Phillips returned to the house in Stourbridge and secretly removed Mollie in a bag. Once back at his school accommodation, he continued his violent behavior by kicking the cat as hard as he could until blood was seen coming from her mouth. He then attempted to strangle her again, grabbing her by the neck.

In a further act of cruelty, Phillips reportedly placed Mollie in a drawer to hide her body while he went to play on his Xbox with the owner’s son. Court evidence revealed that Phillips also admitted to placing Mollie under a running tap of water, presumably in an attempt to drown her. When he returned to his room, the court was told, Mollie was found dead in the drawer, either from her injuries or suffocation. The case’s disturbing details did not end there, as Phillips later took Mollie back to the family home and placed her behind the sofa in the living room.

Veterinary experts examined Mollie’s remains, with one veterinarian stating that the cat had endured 'intolerable and extreme pain and suffering,' while another described her death as a 'prolonged, sadistic attack amounting to torture.' Despite the cruelty, Phillips continued to visit his friend’s house in Stourbridge while Mollie was missing, which eventually led to his confession. He revealed the details of his actions to the school matron, who then informed Mollie’s family.

Phillips claimed to have loved Mollie but admitted that he felt rejected by her after she scratched him. During police interviews, he explained that his actions were impulsive. His defense attorney, Mr. Patrick Currie, highlighted that Phillips suffers from mental health issues, including Asperger’s Syndrome and ADHD. The defense also pointed out that the death of Phillips’ father by suicide had a significant impact on his mental state, contributing to his anger issues. The court heard that Phillips killed Mollie on an impulsive whim.

Ultimately, Phillips pleaded guilty to charges of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal and criminal damage for destroying Mollie’s body. He was sentenced to 17 weeks in a young offenders’ institution, marking a severe legal response to his actions. This case has drawn widespread condemnation for its brutality and the evident cruelty inflicted upon Mollie, highlighting the importance of animal welfare and mental health considerations in such cases.