DANIEL CHESLIN AND JADE BELLINGHAM CRUELTY IN SMITHS WOOD AND SHIRRALL GROVE

In a disturbing case of animal cruelty, Daniel Cheslin, born around 1996 and residing without a fixed address in Smiths Wood, Birmingham, was filmed violently attacking his dog, Rudy, inside an apartment lift. The footage, which has since garnered significant attention, shows Cheslin forcefully pulling Rudy into the lift and causing severe injury to the dog’s teeth. The attack was so brutal that Rudy’s front teeth were smashed, a fact confirmed by veterinary examination. Cheslin’s girlfriend, Jade Louise Bellingham, born on October 13, 1996, and living at De Montfort House, Shirrall Grove, Birmingham B37 6JR, was present during the incident and was seen on CCTV laughing and smiling as the attack unfolded, adding a chilling layer to the cruelty depicted.

The CCTV footage, captured by cameras installed in the lift of a block of flats, revealed multiple acts of violence inflicted upon Rudy. The first clip shows Cheslin entering the lift with Bellingham, where he is seen kicking, slapping, and punching Rudy on the back. Further footage from July 9 depicts the couple accompanied by another man, with Cheslin pulling Rudy so forcefully that the dog appears to lift off from the floor, causing the lift’s camera to shake. The videos also show Cheslin pushing down hard on Rudy’s hindquarters and repeatedly tapping his nose, as well as punching him on the top of his head.

Sarah Pratt, prosecuting at Birmingham Crown Court, explained that when Rudy was later examined by a veterinary surgeon, it was confirmed that the dog had lost two of her front teeth, consistent with the injuries sustained during the lift attack. Rudy also suffered a head injury and a bloodshot eye, injuries likely caused by punches or strikes. Despite the trauma inflicted, Rudy has thankfully recovered from her ordeal.

The court also heard that Cheslin had previously been involved in acts of cruelty towards another dog, a bull mastiff puppy named John, whom he and Bellingham had been caring for. Neighbors reported hearing John yelp during arguments between Cheslin and Bellingham. Witnesses also saw Cheslin lift the puppy by the skin of his neck, drop him on the ground, and rub his face in urine. Further accounts detailed Cheslin making John sit on a chair without allowing him to move and punching him in the ribs.

Judge Jonathan Gosling, presiding over the case, condemned Cheslin’s actions, stating, “This dog was gratuitously ill-treated by the defendant. He accepted assaulting it on numerous occasions. Rudy was a passive and even-tempered dog, and despite that, the defendant was wantonly cruel.”

Cheslin’s defense lawyer, Ian Gold, acknowledged his client’s personal struggles, including depression, anxiety, and anger management issues. Nonetheless, the court sentenced Cheslin to 12 months in prison and imposed a 15-year ban on keeping any animals, a restriction set to expire in October 2033. Bellingham, who admitted to failing to intervene during Cheslin’s abuse of the puppy, received a 12-month community order.

This case highlights the ongoing issue of animal cruelty in Birmingham, with authorities emphasizing the importance of vigilance and intervention to prevent such acts of violence against helpless animals.