ASHLEY LONGHURST AND JESSICA SMITH FROM HINSTOCK AND NEWPORT SHROPSHIRE BANNED OVER CAT CRUELTY CASE

In a case that has shocked the local communities of Hinstock and Newport in Shropshire, two individuals, Ashley Longhurst and Jessica May Smith, faced legal consequences after their pet cat, Belle, suffered a series of unexplained injuries that ultimately led to her being put to sleep. The incident has raised serious concerns about animal welfare and the responsibilities of pet owners in the region.

Ashley Longhurst, born on January 4, 1996, and residing at Roman Way, Hinstock, near Market Drayton, along with Jessica Smith, born October 1, 1995, of Greenacres Way, Newport, were both found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to their one-year-old feline companion, Belle. The court proceedings revealed that Belle had endured multiple injuries over a span of less than a year, with the magistrates indicating that the injuries appeared suspiciously non-accidental, although conclusive evidence was lacking.

During her last visit to Tern Vets in Newport on September 4, 2018, Belle was found to have a large swelling on the back of her head, two bruise-like marks on her ear, and a swollen nose. Additionally, the metalwork that had been previously fitted to treat a leg injury had been displaced. Despite initial treatment and her transfer into RSPCA care, Belle’s condition worsened, and she was euthanised in October 2018. The veterinary records showed that Belle had previously been taken to the vet in April 2018 with a fractured hip, and again in July 2018 with a broken leg. The couple attributed the hip injury to a fall from a lizard tank and the head injuries to her getting caught in a cage, but they could not explain the broken leg.

Following the third injury incident in September, authorities launched an investigation into the matter. The court heard that the injuries occurred at different times, raising suspicions of deliberate harm. However, the evidence was not sufficient to definitively prove that Longhurst and Smith intentionally caused the injuries. Judge Kevin Grego commented that while the injuries appeared suspiciously non-accidental, the lack of concrete evidence meant the case could not be conclusively proven in court. He noted that if the prosecution had been able to establish responsibility for the more serious injuries, the pair could have faced imprisonment.

Legal representatives for the defendants provided context for their clients’ situations. Jemma Gordon, representing Longhurst, explained that he had been unemployed for over a year due to depression and anxiety, and was largely dependent on his mother. Meanwhile, Alex Barber, speaking for Smith, stated that she was deeply traumatised by her experience with Belle and expressed a desire not to keep animals in the future.

Sentencing included a range of penalties. Ashley Longhurst was ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work, pay £900 towards the costs incurred by the RSPCA, and was banned from owning or caring for any animals for ten years, a ban set to expire in May 2029. Jessica Smith received a £300 fine and a five-year ban on owning or caring for animals, which expired in May 2024. The case has left a lasting impact on the local community, highlighting the importance of animal welfare and the need for vigilance among pet owners in Shropshire.