In a quiet Hampshire neighbourhood, residents were left horrified after doorbell footage revealed a disturbing act of animal cruelty.
An 18-year-old teenager, Henry Newey, was caught violently attacking a pet cat named Marshall — an incident that would later stir outrage when the offender walked free from prison time.
The Vicious Attack
The footage showed Newey tying a rope around the ginger tabby’s neck, dragging him across the ground, and repeatedly smashing him against a brick wall.
Prosecutors described the act as “torture,” and those inside the courtroom could barely watch as the video was played.
One woman in the gallery even turned away in tears.
A Cat That Barely Survived
Against the odds, Marshall survived.
After running away, he returned home hours later with the rope still tied tightly around his neck.
His owner, Sarah Keeling, who was eight months pregnant at the time, recalled the terrifying moment she found him gasping for breath, his tongue turning blue.
She managed to rush him to a vet, where he was treated for bruising and swelling.
Lasting Trauma for the Family Pet
While Marshall escaped without broken bones, the emotional scars remain.
Once a playful and affectionate companion, he now suffers from anxiety, startles easily, and avoids spaces he once loved.
He has gained weight from refusing to go outside and even takes anti-anxiety medication.
Ms. Keeling said her eight-year-old daughter, who used to find comfort in stroking the cat at night, can no longer rely on him for that closeness.
Courtroom Proceedings
Newey admitted to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.
Despite the severity of the attack, he was sentenced to 18 weeks in custody — suspended for two months.
The teenager, who already had a caution for common assault, claimed that the cat bit him first.
His explanation was dismissed by District Judge Stephen Apted as “implausible” and evidence of “sadistic” behaviour.
Judge’s Decision
Judge Apted acknowledged the shocking nature of the case but chose not to impose immediate prison time.
He explained that because of Newey’s young age and lack of structured rehabilitation, a suspended sentence with probation work was more appropriate.
The Sentence
Alongside the suspended jail term, Newey was ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work, attend 25 rehabilitation sessions, and pay more than £800 in compensation, costs, and victim surcharges.
He was also banned from owning animals for five years.
A Mother’s Anguish
For Ms. Keeling, the punishment fell short of justice.
She described the night of the attack as “terrifying” and admitted she feared Marshall would die in her arms.
Watching her daughter cry as the cat went missing only deepened her anger.
She told the court that her beloved pet “never attacked anyone” and suggested any bite Newey received must have been from Marshall panicking as he was being tied up.
Feelings of Injustice
After sentencing, Ms. Keeling said she had been prepared for the possibility of no prison term but was still disappointed.
“Loads of people go through bad things in life — that doesn’t give them the right to hurt animals,” she said.
“Marshall hasn’t had justice.”
What Comes Next
For now, Marshall continues to recover at home, albeit as a very different cat than before.
His family is left trying to help him heal while processing the fact that the man responsible for his trauma walked out of court without serving time behind bars.