MARCUS HIBBERT FROM SPARKBROOK SENTENCED FOR BRUTAL ANIMAL ABUSE IN BIRMINGHAM
| Red Rose Database
Sparkbrook Animal Abuser
In a disturbing case that has shocked the local community, Marcus Hibbert, a resident of Farm Road in Sparkbrook, Birmingham, has been convicted of heinous animal cruelty involving a young dog named Bertie. The incident, which took place in Birmingham, has drawn widespread condemnation from animal welfare advocates and the public alike.
According to court records and the investigation conducted by the RSPCA, Hibbert, born on May 12, 1994, and also known by the alias Marcus Fairweather-Hibbert, subjected Bertie to a series of violent beatings. The abuse was severe enough to cause multiple fractures, including broken ribs and cheekbones, as well as other injuries that indicated prolonged suffering.
The case came to light after a concerned neighbor in Birmingham, who witnessed the abuse, contacted the RSPCA. The neighbor, who took the initiative to remove Bertie from Hibbert’s care, described the dog’s condition at the time of rescue. Bertie was found struggling to stand, with one eye swollen shut and bleeding from inside his ear, clearly suffering from the physical trauma inflicted upon him.
Following the rescue, Bertie was transported to an RSPCA animal hospital where veterinary examinations revealed a grim picture. The vet noted that Bertie was lame on his back leg, had bloodshot eyes, and bore a bruise near his ear. X-ray imaging confirmed the presence of fractures in his cheekbone and ribs, injuries consistent with repeated physical abuse. Additional health issues included an ear infection and a skin condition, further complicating his recovery.
Blood tests showed elevated levels of Creatine kinase, a marker indicating significant muscle damage, which aligned with the injuries sustained during the beatings. The veterinary report detailed that Bertie had endured at least three separate episodes of physical trauma, each causing pain, fear, and distress. The veterinarian explained that the fractures and injuries would have caused Bertie considerable pain, with inflammation and discomfort likely persisting for over ten days after each incident.
During police interviews, Hibbert admitted to causing harm to Bertie. He subsequently pleaded guilty to charges of causing unnecessary suffering and neglecting to seek veterinary care for his injured dog. The court heard that Hibbert’s actions were out of character, and mitigation statements suggested that his behavior was untypical for him.
Following his rescue, Bertie was handed over to the RSPCA and has since been rehomed, finding a new, loving family. The RSPCA Inspector Kate Levesley, who led the investigation, condemned Hibbert’s actions, stating, “Hibbert inflicted appalling and totally unnecessary violence on Bertie. Animals deserve to be shown kindness and respect. There is never an excuse for treating an animal in this way.”
Hibbert was sentenced to a 12-week custodial sentence, which was suspended for 12 months. Additionally, he was ordered to complete 50 hours of unpaid work, attend 15 days of Rehabilitation Activity Requirements (RAR), and was issued a lifetime ban on keeping animals. This ban can be appealed after ten years. The case underscores the importance of animal welfare and the ongoing efforts of authorities to combat cruelty in Birmingham and beyond.
According to court records and the investigation conducted by the RSPCA, Hibbert, born on May 12, 1994, and also known by the alias Marcus Fairweather-Hibbert, subjected Bertie to a series of violent beatings. The abuse was severe enough to cause multiple fractures, including broken ribs and cheekbones, as well as other injuries that indicated prolonged suffering.
The case came to light after a concerned neighbor in Birmingham, who witnessed the abuse, contacted the RSPCA. The neighbor, who took the initiative to remove Bertie from Hibbert’s care, described the dog’s condition at the time of rescue. Bertie was found struggling to stand, with one eye swollen shut and bleeding from inside his ear, clearly suffering from the physical trauma inflicted upon him.
Following the rescue, Bertie was transported to an RSPCA animal hospital where veterinary examinations revealed a grim picture. The vet noted that Bertie was lame on his back leg, had bloodshot eyes, and bore a bruise near his ear. X-ray imaging confirmed the presence of fractures in his cheekbone and ribs, injuries consistent with repeated physical abuse. Additional health issues included an ear infection and a skin condition, further complicating his recovery.
Blood tests showed elevated levels of Creatine kinase, a marker indicating significant muscle damage, which aligned with the injuries sustained during the beatings. The veterinary report detailed that Bertie had endured at least three separate episodes of physical trauma, each causing pain, fear, and distress. The veterinarian explained that the fractures and injuries would have caused Bertie considerable pain, with inflammation and discomfort likely persisting for over ten days after each incident.
During police interviews, Hibbert admitted to causing harm to Bertie. He subsequently pleaded guilty to charges of causing unnecessary suffering and neglecting to seek veterinary care for his injured dog. The court heard that Hibbert’s actions were out of character, and mitigation statements suggested that his behavior was untypical for him.
Following his rescue, Bertie was handed over to the RSPCA and has since been rehomed, finding a new, loving family. The RSPCA Inspector Kate Levesley, who led the investigation, condemned Hibbert’s actions, stating, “Hibbert inflicted appalling and totally unnecessary violence on Bertie. Animals deserve to be shown kindness and respect. There is never an excuse for treating an animal in this way.”
Hibbert was sentenced to a 12-week custodial sentence, which was suspended for 12 months. Additionally, he was ordered to complete 50 hours of unpaid work, attend 15 days of Rehabilitation Activity Requirements (RAR), and was issued a lifetime ban on keeping animals. This ban can be appealed after ten years. The case underscores the importance of animal welfare and the ongoing efforts of authorities to combat cruelty in Birmingham and beyond.