Ex killed fish in revenge attack
JILTED lover Kenneth Harding took revenge on his ex-girlfriend by pouring bleach into a tropical fish tank.
The 23-year-old had called at Tanyia Burns's home to take back the fish he had bought for her young son.
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Kenneth Harding
But after being told he could not have them he poured a capful of bleach into the tank, while Ms Burns was upstairs.
The eight fish then started swimming erratically before dying.
Now Harding, pictured, will be sentenced next month after admitting causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal on September 13.
Andrew Meachin, prosecuting for the RSPCA, said: "Water was bubbling out of the tank and Ms Burns could smell bleach. The shark fish jumped out of the tank and onto the carpet. Ms Burns said she put it back in the tank without thinking. It then sank and appeared to be dead. All the fish were swimming erratically and dying one by one."
North Staffordshire Magistrates' Court heard yesterday how Harding, who had lived with Ms Burns at her Kidsgrove home, had denied harming the fish. But he then sent her a text message admitting that he had added "a capful" of bleach into the water.
The court heard Harding, of Rode House Close, Rode Heath, had wanted to take the fish to his parents' home because they had an aquarium.
Stephen Vassey, mitigating, said: "He is ashamed and remorseful.
"It was a decision made instantly and actioned immediately. He accepts that fish are delicate creatures and can feel suffering just like any other animal and for that he feels distress and remorse."
Adjourning for a pre-sentence report, chairman of the bench Derek Walker said: "This is a serious and unusual case. We are aware that you did intend to punish your girlfriend and the fish. The fish died and there was a lot of distress to the family as well."
After the case Ms Burns, aged 24, told The Sentinel she contacted the RSPCA after being horrified by the suffering of the fish.
She said: "Harding bought the fish for my young son a few weeks before and he loved watching them.
"They were all angel fish and shark fish. I'd turn the light on for my son and he used to love watching them. He knew them all as Nemo and Sharky.
"Bleach was coming out of the tank all over the carpet. My young son could have got hold of it."
Mark Titterton, senior keeper at The Palms Tropical Oasis, at Stapeley Water Gardens, Nantwich, said he was sickened to hear about the fishes' suffering.
He said: "The bleach would have got into their gills and not have been a very pleasant death at all."
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by Josh Batty, Crewe
Saturday, April 25 2009, 11:31PM
“To start with this is wrong it doesnt matter what living creature it is, fish, dog, bird horse ETC ETC but at the same time this is a very petty crime to commit to cause so much controversy, and Kenny is not the first person to over react when things have got the better of you, actually id like to see one person who has commented on this, who can hold there hands up and say they havent done anything wrong in the heat of the moment, i know i have, and to tag him as a "murderer" is an utter disgrace, think of all the bad things that happen in stoke- drugs, prostitution, (stoke city being promoted to the premier league). My point is wot Kenny did maybe wrong, but to compare him to the crimanls that walk and live in our streets is inhumane, and the people who decided to publish this into the sentinal are the ones that need to be questioned not Kenny”
by Ed the Manc, Congleton
Wednesday, April 22 2009, 2:18PM
“Only in Stoke!! It's like the twilight zone meets deliverance!!”
by Gwendolen Bracknell, Hartshill
Friday, April 17 2009, 6:54PM
“Kenny, I said in my very first comment that I have no doubt you're a nice man the overwhelming majority of the time. I also said that those saying you should "drink bleach" are off their rockers.
Unfortunately however, your friends haven't helped. There were plenty of unjustified comments they could have focused on, but instead they chose to trivialize the crime, which made it look like neither you nor they think you did anything wrong.
Don't take the people baying for your blood too seriously. They will move onto their next victim from The Sentinel's court file in no time.”
by laura, alsager
Friday, April 17 2009, 5:41PM
“Tanya should be charged for time wasting!!”
by kenny, stoke
Friday, April 17 2009, 3:02PM
“thank u all for ur comments and just wish my side and reasons y things happened!! people judge me and give me greif but they dont no me or the events leading up to this!!!”
by Gwendolen Bracknell, Hartshill
Friday, April 17 2009, 8:44AM
“By that logic Amy, are we not free to kill dogs and cats with impunity, perhaps by tainting *their* water supply with bleach? After all, "It's not like there are only a few about!"
Is there any reason we shouldn't extend your analogy to human beings? Again, "It's not like there are only a few about!"
Do you recognise the fallacy of your argument yet?”
by amy, stoke on trent
Friday, April 17 2009, 12:20AM
“i think its pathetic that kenny is getting abuse off all these people for tipping bleach in a tank at the end of the day everyone has arguments and everybody does things they regret.. ITS A FISH ITS NOT LIKE THERE IS ONLY A FEW ABOUT!! the police should be out there catching criminals that makes our areas a crap place to live..... next they will be locking up children that bite dogs hahahahahaha wot a joke!!!!”
by Jen, stoke
Thursday, April 16 2009, 9:50PM
“They were fish!!!!!!!!!!!!”
by William, Ashbank, Stoke on Trent
Thursday, April 16 2009, 6:30PM
“I feel sorry for the young lad who had his fish taken from him. Buy him some more and he'll be orate.
I honestly can't believe that this was front page of The Sentinel! Instead of reporting on this 'fish murderer,' The Sentinel should be reporting on the drug and vice trade.. Oh I forgot, the police are letting everyone getting away with serious crimes...”
by Wil, Ashbank, Stoke on Trent
Thursday, April 16 2009, 6:25PM
“I feel sorry for the young lad who had his fish taken away. Get him some more fish and he'll be orate.
But for this to be on the front page of the Sentinel is ridiculous! I mean all that's going on in the world and the Sentinel is reporting on a fish murderer!! Good God folks, get over it!!”