LEWIS FOX'S CRUELTY IN MINSTER-IN-THANET: HAMSTERS AND RATS TORTURED AND ABUSED

Lewis Robert Fox, also known as Lewis Monroe or Zachary Monroe Fox, born on March 29, 1995, and residing on Southsea Avenue in Minster, Kent, has been convicted of a series of heinous acts involving the torture and killing of small animals, as well as abusive behavior towards his former partner. His crimes, which span over a period from January 2015 to November 2016, reveal a disturbing pattern of cruelty and violence that has shocked the local community and prompted serious legal repercussions.

Fox's brutality was most evident in his treatment of four hamsters and two rats. Court proceedings detailed how he repeatedly inflicted suffering upon these defenseless creatures. One hamster was thrown against a wall with such force that it died from the impact. Another hamster was strangled using a phone cable lead, while a third was squeezed to death. The court also heard that Fox boasted about setting fire to a fourth hamster after it bit him. The next time his teenage girlfriend, Jessica Bradbrook, saw the animal, it was scorched, with its toes burnt off by a lighter, a scene that left her deeply distressed.

Jessica Bradbrook had initially bought the first hamster after discussing with Fox the possibility of having a child together. Her intention was to observe whether Fox could care for an animal responsibly before trusting him with a human life. However, within just a week, Fox had killed the rodent, claiming that it 'preferred' her to him. The cruelty escalated in March 2016 when Fox killed another hamster and sent text messages to Miss Bradbrook containing images of the dead animal's body, further demonstrating his lack of remorse.

During police interviews, Fox admitted to having no feelings 'for anything or anyone,' including his own mother. His actions extended beyond animal cruelty; he pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal during the period from January 1, 2015, to November 7, 2016. Additionally, he confessed to engaging in controlling and coercive behavior within his intimate relationship with Miss Bradbrook from December 30, 2015, to November 25, 2016. His abusive conduct included burning her with a cigarette, holding a knife to her throat, pinning her down on the bed, and placing his hands around her neck.

Fox's physical appearance is marked by a distinctive tattoo of a fox on his chest, a symbol that perhaps reflects his own predatory tendencies. His abusive behavior was compounded by accusations of infidelity, as he accused Miss Bradbrook of cheating while he was dating other women. His verbal abuse was relentless; he monitored her social media accounts, dictated her clothing choices, and flirted with her friends. Court testimonies revealed that he spat in her face on multiple occasions, and most disturbingly, he would pick his nose and wipe the bloody contents into her hair, an act that exemplifies his contempt and disregard for her dignity.

Following their breakup in November 2016, Fox's mother reported his behavior to the police, highlighting the severity of his conduct. A psychiatric assessment presented to the court diagnosed Fox with a personality disorder characterized by 'callous unconcern' for others and a blatant disregard for social norms and rules. It was also noted that Fox suffers from ADHD and has a history of substance abuse, factors that likely contributed to his violent and cruel actions.

Judge Julian Smith sentenced Fox to 14 months in prison, emphasizing that incarceration was inevitable given his persistent aggression and cruelty. The judge described the sentence as 'relatively moderate,' considering the gravity of Fox's offenses but acknowledging his mental health issues. In his remarks, the judge condemned Fox's controlling and violent behavior, which caused significant distress and harm to his partner. He pointed out that Fox's cruelty extended to the animals he killed, each act marked by a distinct level of brutality and disregard for life.

Fox, who has a fox tattoo on his chest, addressed the court from the dock, professing love for his mother and girlfriend. The court was told that their relationship, which began in December 2014, was marred by violence; Miss Bradbrook suffered bruising from being pinned down, kicked, or punched. She recounted that Fox would blame her for injuries inflicted upon herself and would dismiss incidents as if they never happened. On her 18th birthday in July 2015, Fox verbally abused her, threw her cake on the floor, and expelled her from his house. He also stole £1,580 from a £4,000 gift her father had given her, money that was never returned.

One particularly alarming incident involved Fox placing his hand around Miss Bradbrook's throat while holding a hamster in his other hand, threatening to kill the animal. She recounted waking at 4 a.m. to find Fox with his hands around her throat, feeling as if she might die, as he told her how easy it would be to snap her neck. When arrested, Fox claimed that he threw a hamster against a wall because it had a broken leg after being dropped, and he dismissed the text messages of the dead hamsters as attention-seeking behavior. He described his relationship with Miss Bradbrook as a 'f*-up' and stated that he felt nothing for anyone, not even love for his own mother.

Defense lawyer Craig Evans highlighted Fox's struggles with mental health, including suicidal and self-harming tendencies, and noted that Fox had to give up his job due to these issues. Despite support from his family and various organizations, Fox had failed to take advantage of the help available. The court's decision reflected the seriousness of his actions and the need for accountability, resulting in a sentence that aims to protect the community and address his mental health needs.