CRAG LEE FROM HAYDOCK SENTENCED FOR BRUTAL DOG ATTACK IN ST HELENS

Craig Lee, born on April 20, 1982, and residing at 376 West End Road, Haydock, in the Borough of St Helens, Merseyside, was convicted in 2023 for a heinous act of animal cruelty that resulted in the death of his elderly dog. The incident involved a series of violent assaults on Carly, a 12-year-old springer spaniel, which culminated in fatal injuries inflicted by Lee using a metal pole.

Lee, who is infamously known as "Crazy Craig" among local residents, subjected Carly to a brutal attack that shocked those who witnessed the events. According to reports, Lee kicked the dog so forcefully that his shoe was dislodged. He then proceeded to beat her repeatedly around the head and body with a metal pole, causing injuries so severe that veterinary examinations confirmed she could not be saved. Carly was taken to a veterinary clinic but was ultimately euthanized due to the extent of her internal injuries and brain damage.

The attack was witnessed by Lee’s carer, Ceri Pickering, who recounted her observations of Lee’s violent behavior towards Carly. She revealed that she had frequently seen Lee become aggressive, shouting at the dog and even raising his fists in anger. On one occasion, she witnessed him punch Carly directly in the face. The dog, evidently terrified, would urinate in fear whenever Lee approached her.

On July 10, 2022, police officers contacted Ms. Pickering out of concern for Lee’s welfare. When she arrived at his address, she found him in bed with no food or water provided for Carly. As she approached the dog, Carly urinated again, and Lee responded by kicking her in the head, losing a shoe in the process. The dog yelped in pain and urinated once more. Lee then retrieved a metal pole from the kitchen, brandishing it and saying, “watch this now,” before violently thrashing Carly multiple times. Ms. Pickering attempted to intervene, trying to shield Carly from the attack, and was struck with the pole herself, although she stated this was not intentional.

She managed to wrest the pole away from Lee and called the police, during which Lee threatened to “stab the dog” if she left. Following this incident, Ms. Pickering agreed to care for Carly, who was described as having “glazed eyes” and being “unable to walk.” A veterinary examination confirmed that Carly had suffered catastrophic internal injuries and brain damage, which left no option but to euthanize her.

Further troubling events unfolded on August 1, 2022, when Lee visited Ms. Pickering’s home after sending her a series of threatening text messages, including one stating “payback time.” During this visit, Lee was seen “violently kicking the door,” shouting that he would “smash up the house,” and calling Ms. Pickering a “grass.” Fearing for her safety, she locked her 11-year-old daughter in the bathroom and contacted the police. When arrested, Lee was heard to tell officers that he “didn’t care” about going to prison because “Altcourse is like a holiday.”

It was revealed during court proceedings that Lee had a long criminal history, with 13 previous convictions for 16 offences. He pleaded guilty to three counts of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal and one count of intimidating a witness. In mitigation, his solicitor explained that Carly was already suffering from cancer and end-stage kidney disease, suggesting that her death was not solely attributable to Lee’s assault. The defense also highlighted that Lee was experiencing a “psychotic episode” triggered by excessive drinking and that he had a history of mental health issues. They further stated that Lee felt “betrayed” by Ms. Pickering’s decision to contact the police and that their relationship was strained.

Judge Eric Lamb described Lee’s behavior as “violent and abusive,” emphasizing the cruelty inflicted upon Carly during her final days. The court sentenced Lee to a one-year prison term, suspended for two years. Additionally, he was subjected to a five-year restraining order, six months of alcohol treatment, and 25 days of rehabilitation activities. The court did not specify any ban related to animal ownership or possession. This case has drawn significant attention in the local community, highlighting the ongoing issues of animal cruelty and the importance of safeguarding vulnerable animals from such violent acts.