Ellen Sibley’s Nechells Animal Hoarding Nightmare: Birmingham’s Persistent Pet Cruelty Offender Strikes Again
| Red Rose Database
Nechells Animal Abuser
Ellen Sibley, a woman with a long history of animal cruelty convictions, has once again come under scrutiny for her continued neglect and illegal keeping of pets in Nechells, Birmingham. Despite being subjected to a lifetime ban from owning animals, Sibley’s latest actions reveal a blatant disregard for the law and the welfare of her animals.
In May 2011, Sibley, along with her then-husband Brian Sibley, faced prosecution after authorities uncovered a disturbing scene at her residence on Little Hall Road, Nechells. The investigation revealed more than 20 flea-infested animals living in deplorable conditions. The property was filthy, with a strong stench permeating the air. Inspectors found birds, including a cockatiel and a budgerigar, confined in cages that were so dirty they lacked proper food and water. A cat was observed using a litter tray that was overflowing with waste, highlighting the neglect.
Adding to the grim discovery, authorities uncovered a shallow grave outside the property containing the body of a recently deceased kitten. The scene painted a stark picture of ongoing animal suffering. Among the animals was a collie-type dog named Sheba, who appeared to be lame. Upon examination, it was revealed that Sheba had a broken pelvis and was suffering from significant pain, a clear indication of the neglect she endured.
Following this incident, Sibley was handed a lifetime ban on keeping animals, a legal restriction meant to prevent her from reoffending. However, her history of defying this ban did not end there. In 2012, she was sentenced to four months in jail for breaching the order, demonstrating her persistent disregard for the law.
Fast forward to late October 2020, when an RSPCA inspector visited her residence once again. The conditions inside her property on Little Hall Road were described as squalid, with a strong odor of decay. Prosecutor Raife Turner detailed the scene, stating, “The property was dirty and there was a stench. She said she had four or five cats. There was a puppy confined in the bathroom in squalid conditions. It was in a small crate which wasn’t of sufficient size. There was a cat in a carrier. The bedding was wet with urine and faeces. Other cats were found in the bedroom which was littered with faeces, which gives an indication of how the household was being run by the defendant.”
Turner further explained that Sibley claimed to have owned one of the cats for several years, a statement that underscored her ongoing failure to adhere to the previous disqualification. The inspector noted that Sibley appeared to struggle with self-care and was clearly unfit to care for animals, let alone protected species. Despite the pets being removed from her care, her lawyer admitted that her learning difficulties made it difficult to guarantee she would not breach the law again.
Sibley pleaded guilty to charges of breaching her disqualification and neglecting the animals she was responsible for. The magistrates, however, appeared uncertain about the appropriate punishment, describing the case as an “extremely desperate situation.” The chair of the bench expressed concern over the recurring nature of her offenses and the apparent lack of community support mechanisms to help her manage her situation. Addressing Sibley directly, the magistrate said, “I know you hear me now. You have got to try and remember when you leave court it’s forever, you must never have animals.”
In light of her latest breach, the court re-imposed her lifetime ban on keeping animals. Additionally, Sibley was sentenced to a six-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay a £20 victim surcharge. This case underscores the ongoing challenges faced by authorities in preventing repeat offenses by individuals like Sibley, whose actions continue to threaten animal welfare in Birmingham’s Nechells district.
In May 2011, Sibley, along with her then-husband Brian Sibley, faced prosecution after authorities uncovered a disturbing scene at her residence on Little Hall Road, Nechells. The investigation revealed more than 20 flea-infested animals living in deplorable conditions. The property was filthy, with a strong stench permeating the air. Inspectors found birds, including a cockatiel and a budgerigar, confined in cages that were so dirty they lacked proper food and water. A cat was observed using a litter tray that was overflowing with waste, highlighting the neglect.
Adding to the grim discovery, authorities uncovered a shallow grave outside the property containing the body of a recently deceased kitten. The scene painted a stark picture of ongoing animal suffering. Among the animals was a collie-type dog named Sheba, who appeared to be lame. Upon examination, it was revealed that Sheba had a broken pelvis and was suffering from significant pain, a clear indication of the neglect she endured.
Following this incident, Sibley was handed a lifetime ban on keeping animals, a legal restriction meant to prevent her from reoffending. However, her history of defying this ban did not end there. In 2012, she was sentenced to four months in jail for breaching the order, demonstrating her persistent disregard for the law.
Fast forward to late October 2020, when an RSPCA inspector visited her residence once again. The conditions inside her property on Little Hall Road were described as squalid, with a strong odor of decay. Prosecutor Raife Turner detailed the scene, stating, “The property was dirty and there was a stench. She said she had four or five cats. There was a puppy confined in the bathroom in squalid conditions. It was in a small crate which wasn’t of sufficient size. There was a cat in a carrier. The bedding was wet with urine and faeces. Other cats were found in the bedroom which was littered with faeces, which gives an indication of how the household was being run by the defendant.”
Turner further explained that Sibley claimed to have owned one of the cats for several years, a statement that underscored her ongoing failure to adhere to the previous disqualification. The inspector noted that Sibley appeared to struggle with self-care and was clearly unfit to care for animals, let alone protected species. Despite the pets being removed from her care, her lawyer admitted that her learning difficulties made it difficult to guarantee she would not breach the law again.
Sibley pleaded guilty to charges of breaching her disqualification and neglecting the animals she was responsible for. The magistrates, however, appeared uncertain about the appropriate punishment, describing the case as an “extremely desperate situation.” The chair of the bench expressed concern over the recurring nature of her offenses and the apparent lack of community support mechanisms to help her manage her situation. Addressing Sibley directly, the magistrate said, “I know you hear me now. You have got to try and remember when you leave court it’s forever, you must never have animals.”
In light of her latest breach, the court re-imposed her lifetime ban on keeping animals. Additionally, Sibley was sentenced to a six-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay a £20 victim surcharge. This case underscores the ongoing challenges faced by authorities in preventing repeat offenses by individuals like Sibley, whose actions continue to threaten animal welfare in Birmingham’s Nechells district.