A “mean and nasty” boyfriend cruelly killed his partner’s cherished collection of koi carp by emptying five litres of toxic cleaning fluid into her garden pond.
The distraught woman, 63, and her shocked daughter, 29, desperately tried to save the expensive fish, which were bleeding heavily from their mouths and gills, by carrying them up to their bathtub.
Only six of the thirty fish - some of which she owned for three decades - were saved and they have been left blinded by the attack.
Bicycle mechanic Ian Perkins, 53, pleaded guilty to causing approximately £10,000 worth of criminal damage to Diane Kenton’s koi collection.
On Tuesday he received four months imprisonment, suspended for eighteen months and must undergo 29 behavioural therapy sessions and a 25-day rehabilitation activity requirement.
“This was a mean and nasty offence,” Isleworth Crown Court Judge Robin Johnson told Perkins. “Not only were you cruel to these animals, but to your partner of many years, knowing the affection she held for them.”
The court heard Perkins, who is now living with pals in The Parade, High Street, Cowley, returned to Ms Kenton’s home in Bourne Avenue, Hayes on June 17 after they enjoyed a night out.
She was annoyed at him texting in the back garden and said she would not join him the next day for the annual British Heart Foundation London to Brighton Bike Ride.
“He went to the garden shed and came back with a five-litre container of cleaning fluid and poured the whole contents into the pond,” said prosecutor Mrs Sue Obeney.
“The fish are considered part of the family and Ms Kenton’s son has a business off the back of it.
“There was a panic and Ms Kenton called her daughter Charlie Kenton-O’Neill and with the help of neighbours they tried to transfer the fish into their bath.”
Afterwards Ms Kenton said: “That night Ian destroyed the pool lives heavily with me. I’m still reduced to tears when I think about it.
“There was blood everywhere, from their mouths and gills, and it is terrible to think about.
“I believe my six surviving fish are blind, their eyes are white. I have been left feeling vulnerable, lonely and very hurt.
“It’s unforgivable and has destroyed a big part of me.”
Her daughter Charlie said: “On the night and for weeks after it was horrendous. The initial shock is still sickening.
“It was like losing a family member, we have shed tears and people have brought us flowers.
“My mother was screaming and crying like I’ve never seen before as the bath filled with blood. We have not had a bath since that night.
“I was in the pitch black, in foam desperately trying to save the fish an since I have been cleaning blood off the stained walls and floors.
“The stairs and landing carpet is still bloodstained and there was a terrible smell of dead fish. It’s upsetting, cruel and shocking.”
She said Perkins: “Reluctantly carried fish upstairs slowly and carelessly,” and the family considered installing CCTV out of fear of him returning to injure more family pets.
Perkins, who begged his ex to drop the case and was ordered to pay £1,000 compensation, told the court: “I’m sorry for it all happening. I’m here to admit my guilt.”
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