Locations
Ashthorpe, Orchard Park estate, north Hull, HU6
Description
A defenceless cat suffered brutal injuries after ex-Royal Marine Paul Thorpe, 62, heartlessly "dangled" the pet over a fence and into the jaws of a dog from a breed known for its potential to cause "serious injury or even death".
Moments earlier, Thorpe had casually asked the dog's owner how his two dogs were with cats, possibly driven by "morbid curiosity" about what would happen.
The cat's hind leg was bitten down to the bone, and its tail was bitten off, Hull Crown Court heard. On November 5, 2025, Thorpe, from Ashthorpe, Orchard Park estate, north Hull, pleaded guilty to failing to prevent unnecessary suffering to the cat.
Prosecutor Mark Luxford said Thorpe, then a neighbour in Star Hill Road, Driffield, picked up the black cat while its owner was absent and "quizzed" another neighbour about his dogs. He then "dangled" the cat over the fence, placing it "in effect, on the head of one of the dogs". The dog attacked, and Thorpe "seemed to gain some enjoyment" without intervening, showing a "lack of any apparent guilt". The owner tried to stop it but was bitten on the hand.
It was "sadistic" behaviour causing "a high level of pain and suffering" and "grave injury", Mr Luxford added. "The defendant failed to intervene once the dog started attacking the cat."
In police interview, Thorpe admitted acting recklessly, apologised, and offered to pay vet bills. He had three prior convictions, including an eight-year jail term in December 2009 for the "very serious" rape of a child.
Mitigating, Holly Thompson said Thorpe hadn't minimised the incident: "This was a short-lived incident, one that caused an immense degree of harm. It was a momentary or brief lapse in judgement. This was entirely unacceptable conduct. The defendant has accepted that it was. He made admissions and apologised in full."
His actions were "odd and without any real motive", with "no precursor" or negative neighbour relations. "He is an entirely nice guy and is friendly and helpful. He is entirely apologetic at his conduct and he did not, at the time, realise the severity of it. He was unable to come to terms with it and he buried his head in the sand. He has come to terms with it now. He acted largely out of character." Thorpe served in the Royal Marines until medically discharged in 1990, having seen "atrocities".
Recorder David Kelly said Thorpe deliberately placed the cat in harm's way, with "suggestions of some sadism" and "little remorse if any". He imposed an eight-month suspended prison sentence, 15 days' rehabilitation, and £300 compensation each to the cat's owner and the bitten man.