KIERAN HAYNES FROM BIRKENHEAD SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC ANIMAL ABUSE OUTSIDE FLATS

Kieran Haynes, a resident of Devon Gardens in Rock Ferry, Birkenhead, was convicted in 2018 for a brutal act of cruelty involving an 11-week-old kitten named Niko. The disturbing incident unfolded outside a block of flats where Haynes' former partner resided, leaving a trail of violence and suffering that shocked the local community.

According to court records and investigations, Haynes physically assaulted Niko, the young kitten, by hitting him with the back of his hand after the animal scratched him. This initial act of aggression was followed by a series of tragic events that culminated in the kitten's death. Haynes admitted to smothering Niko with a duvet, an act he claimed was in response to the kitten attacking him, and then hanging the deceased animal from a piece of rope outside the flats.

The case was brought to light after RSPCA inspector Anthony Joynes examined the scene and found Niko's lifeless body hanging from the rope. The inspector noted that the kitten had suffered severe injuries, including a broken eye socket and lacerations on his lips caused by his own teeth, indicating he had been subjected to intense trauma. The post-mortem examination confirmed that Niko had been smothered so forcefully that it caused internal injuries and swelling to the brain, and the injuries were consistent with the injuries observed.

Inspector Joynes revealed that Niko was recognized as Haynes' pet, as the young cat had been featured in social media posts prior to the incident. During interviews, Haynes admitted to hitting Niko after the scratching incident and described how he left the injured kitten alone for seven hours. When he returned, Niko was found lying in his own feces, still visibly injured and suffering. Haynes claimed that Niko had attacked him when he approached to check on him, which led him to cover the kitten with a duvet and hold it there until it stopped moving.

Following the death of Niko, Haynes took the body and hanged it outside the flats where his ex-partner lived, an act that further demonstrated the cruelty involved. Inspector Joynes expressed his distress over the case, emphasizing the emotional toll such cases take on those involved in animal welfare. He highlighted the helplessness of animals like Niko, who cannot choose their owners or defend themselves against such violence.

In sentencing, Kieran Haynes received a 16-week prison term, along with a £115 victim surcharge. Additionally, he was disqualified from keeping any animals for life, a measure intended to prevent future harm. The case garnered attention from local outlets such as the Wirral Globe and Liverpool Echo, underscoring the community's concern over animal cruelty and the importance of justice for vulnerable creatures.