MARK AND ABI NENNA FROM ELLESMERE PORT SENTENCED FOR CRUELTY TO KITTENS IN GREAT SUTTON

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Ellesmere Port and the surrounding area, Mark and Abi Nenna, residents of Whestone Hey, Great Sutton, have been found guilty of severe animal cruelty involving their two young kittens. The incident, which took place in Ellesmere Port, led to a court hearing where both individuals pleaded guilty to causing grievous injuries to their pets, resulting in significant legal consequences.

According to court records and veterinary reports, the two kittens, Alonso and Hamilton, both five months old and of ginger coloration, suffered from multiple traumatic injuries that indicated deliberate abuse rather than accidental harm. The injuries included spinal fractures, collapsed lungs, fractured ribs, and other severe trauma. The RSPCA, alerted by a veterinarian who was suspicious of the severity of the injuries, intervened and launched an investigation that uncovered the extent of the cruelty inflicted upon the helpless animals.

Inspector Jenny Bethel, who was involved in the case, recounted her visit to the veterinary clinic where the injured kittens had been brought in on separate occasions. She explained that the owners, Mark and Abi Nenna, claimed that Alonso was injured during a play fight with their other cat, suffering from two fractured back legs and partially collapsed lungs. However, the veterinarian’s assessment painted a different picture. The injuries to Alonso, including two older fractures of the spine, suggested that the trauma was inflicted over a period of days, not during a simple play fight. The report explicitly stated that the force required to cause such injuries could not have been the result of normal feline interactions.

Further examination revealed that Alonso was found on the couple’s bed, yet the injuries he sustained would have made it impossible for him to jump onto the bed unaided. This discrepancy raised suspicions of physical abuse, leading investigators to believe that the injuries either occurred while Alonso was on the bed or he was placed there by a person. The veterinary report emphasized that such injuries are indicative of repeated physical trauma.

Two weeks after Alonso’s injuries, Hamilton was brought to the vet with additional severe injuries. The owners claimed that Hamilton had fallen from a six-foot cat tree after a claw became lodged in the elastic of the climbing frame. Hamilton was found unable to stand or walk, exhibiting signs of head or spinal injury, facial twitching, and rapid ear movements. He also had a fractured rib and nosebleeds. The veterinary team concluded that Hamilton’s injuries were consistent with a serious head or spinal trauma, not an accidental fall.

During the court proceedings, the Nennas admitted that they could not explain the injuries but accepted responsibility for causing them. It was noted that neither had previous convictions, and both expressed remorse for their actions. The kittens, Alonso and Hamilton, received veterinary treatment and made a full recovery. They were subsequently rehomed by the veterinary clinic, ensuring they would no longer be subjected to harm.

Sentencing for Mark and Abi Nenna was handed down with strict penalties. Mark Nenna received a 24-week prison sentence suspended for 12 months, along with 300 hours of unpaid work, a £154 victim surcharge, and £750 in court costs. Abi Nenna was given a 12-month community order, which included 200 hours of unpaid work, a £154 victim surcharge, and £750 in costs. Both individuals are now banned from keeping any animals for five years, a restriction that will remain in effect until November 2029. The case has garnered significant attention from animal welfare organizations and the local community, highlighting the importance of vigilance and intervention in cases of animal cruelty in Ellesmere Port and beyond.