APRIL HAWES FROM DEREHAM SENTENCED AFTER CAT ATTACK NEAR DEREHAM NEIGHBOUR'S HOME

April Rose Hawes, a resident of Banyard Court in Dereham, was involved in a disturbing incident that drew the attention of local authorities and animal welfare groups. The incident took place in Dereham, a town known for its close-knit community and rural surroundings, where Hawes was recorded on CCTV footage deliberately throwing her neighbour's cat, Shadow, over a distance of approximately nine metres towards the neighbour's property.

According to court proceedings, Hawes became irritated with Shadow after the feline was scenting her home and disturbing her own cats. The footage revealed her repeatedly throwing the cat, with Shadow hitting a bin and then being thrown again just forty seconds later. During the incident, Hawes was heard shouting that she hoped the neighbour could see the act on CCTV and questioned whether the neighbour would be cleaning her house.

Following her arrest, Hawes was shown the CCTV images during police interviews. She expressed surprise at how far the cat had been thrown, claiming she did not realize her own strength. Prosecutor Ashley Petchey highlighted that Hawes's actions appeared to be deliberate, noting that her own words indicated she was aware of the disturbance caused by the neighbour’s cats, which had been scenting her property and disturbing her own cats.

Hawes insisted that she did not intend to harm Shadow, but the evidence suggested otherwise. Mr. Petchey pointed out that the footage clearly demonstrated a calculated attempt to cause suffering, and as a result of the attack, Shadow was observed walking with a limp. The court found that Hawes had caused suffering to a protected animal, which is a criminal offence.

In her defence, Hawes’s solicitor, Anne-Marie Sheridan, argued that her client was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Sheridan explained that Hawes had been woken up by her neighbour’s cats, which had entered her home, rummaged through her bin, and caused a spraying incident. She further stated that Hawes had previously requested the local council to take action against the neighbour’s cats, but no measures had been implemented. Sheridan added that Hawes had to keep her window open to allow her own cats to come and go freely from her property.

Ultimately, the court sentenced Hawes to a 12-month community order, which includes 30 days of rehabilitation activities. She was also ordered to pay £85 in court costs and a victim surcharge of the same amount. Importantly, there was no ban imposed on her owning animals in the future. This case has sparked discussions about animal cruelty and the responsibilities of pet owners in communities like Dereham, where neighbours often share close living spaces and must coexist peacefully.