A cat and a dog suffered blunt force trauma and died

A man who carried out fatal attacks on a dog and a cat has been jailed and permanently banned from keeping animals.

Jordan Wood, 25, pleaded guilty to three animal welfare offences following a prosecution by the RSPCA concerning a male Labrador-type dog, Chance, and a male cat, Casper.

Both animals died from severe complications caused by repeated, deliberate blunt force trauma.

The abuse was uncovered in April last year after a vet raised suspicions when Chance was brought in for treatment, prompting RSPCA inspectors to visit Wood’s home, reports CornwallLive.

Chance was seized by police and placed into RSPCA care. Further vet exams found Chance had sustained multiple traumatic head, throat and spinal injuries over several months. His whiskers had also been burned off.

The owner initially claimed that Chance ran into a fence, but the severity of the dog’s injuries told a different story.

There were skull fractures on both the left and right frontal bones on the skull involving the frontal sinuses, as well as a small fracture of the external sagittal crest.

The throat and windpipe showed injuries recognised as features of strangulation and caused an altered airway size. The windpipe also had an abnormal, flattened profile with an over-distended muscle, consistent with repeated compression from a collar, the RSPCA said.

His spinal fracture indicated a high-level blunt force applied to the lower spine and swelling, bruising, and skin abrasions around both eyes, the face, ears, and mid-neck, consistent with blunt force blows or tight ligatures.

Chance was sadly put down because of further complications from his pre-existing throat fractures while in RSPCA care.

In August 2025, Casper was found dead after suffering catastrophic injuries from at least three separate timelines of blunt force trauma to his chest, alongside skeletal and severe head trauma. Alongside the rib fractures, which were healing at different rates, showing three separate stages of injury, he also had a dislocation of the sternum and limb fractures.

Casper also had damage to his internal organs, with a laceration of the liver, and ruptured alveoli in the lungs and signs of head trauma with laceration of the right temporal region of the skull and right temporal muscle. Multiple cartilage fractures in both ears gave them a crinkled appearance.

Casper had also suffered severe eye trauma and blindness. At the time of his death, he had bilaterally swollen eyelids and conjunctivae, retinal detachment, lens rupture, and pus accumulation within the eyeballs. His cause of death was found to be severe blunt force trauma to the chest, resulting in extensive lung collapse and respiratory failure.

“The finding of bilateral rib fractures across multiple timelines is a powerful diagnostic indicator of physical abuse—often caused by an animal being deliberately kicked, stepped on, or thrown,” Dr Taylor noted in the vet report. “Both animals were forced to endure severe physical pain and prolonged mental torment before succumbing to their injuries”.

Wood, from Newquay, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a Labrador-type dog by inflicting physical abuse, causing unnecessary suffering to a cat by inflicting physical abuse, and causing unnecessary suffering to a car by failing to provide professional veterinary care and attention.

Wood was banned from keeping animals for life and jailed for 18 months after being sentenced at Truro on August 6. A second person is due to be sentenced for related offences on September 11.

Ellen Gibson, aged 24 and of Kilkham, Yorkshire, has also pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering or permitting it to happen to Chance, who she was responsible for, and causing Casper unnecessary suffering or permitting it to happen and failing to get vet care for the cat.

In mitigation, Wood’s defence team said he experienced a difficult childhood and suffered from PTSD and depression.

RSPCA Inspector Jack Alderson, who investigated for the animal welfare charity, said: “The cruelty inflicted upon innocent animals like Chance and Casper is an unforgivable betrayal of trust. Every living creature deserves a life free from suffering and filled with compassion.”

From Darlington and County Durham to Teesside and North Yorkshire, pupils opened their envelopes with friends, families and teachers by their side to celebrate the grades they had worked hard for.

For many, the day marked the end of one chapter and the beginning of another as students prepare for sixth form, college, apprenticeships and start thinking about future careers.

School halls and classrooms were filled with hugs, cheers and celebrations as students opened their envelopes, with many exceeding their own expectations.

While some walked in feeling nervous about their results, many left feeling excited about their future and proud to see that their dedication had paid off.

Teachers and staff were on hand throughout the morning to congratulate students and share in the celebrations, posing for photographs and wishing them every success as they prepare for the next stage of their education.

Teachers spoke, praising students for their determination, resilience and commitment throughout their studies and final exams.

Across the North East, schools reported strong performances, as well as exceptional individual achievements alongside wider success and improvements on results last year.

Many students secured top grades across multiple subjects, overcame personal challenges to achieve their goals, and earned the results they needed to head off to college or onto an apprenticeship.

Darlington MP Lola McEvoy stopped by several schools across the town to congratulate both students and teachers for their hard work, and thank them for doing Darlington proud.

GCSE results day remains one of the most significant days for students in Britain, recognising the hard work of future generations and shining a spotlight on local and individual success.

Take a look through our gallery of some of the best moments as students across the North East celebrated GCSE results day 2026.

GCSE results day 2026. (Image: Andy Drozdziak)

GCSE results day 2026 (Image: Andy Drozdziak)

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GCSE results day 2026. (Image: Sarah Caldecott)

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GCSE results day 2026. (Image: Sarah Caldecott)

GCSE results day 2026. (Image: Sarah Caldecott)

GCSE results day 2026. (Image: Sarah Caldecott)

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GCSE results day 2026. (Image: Sarah Caldecott)

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GCSE results day 2026. (Image: Sarah Caldecott)

GCSE results day 2026. (Image: Sarah Caldecott)

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The A167 flyover, closed since December 2024 due to safety issues, is being dismantled, with work still expected to finish in October.

The section of the road over the Park Lane roundabout, once a critical route into Gateshead and Newcastle, is now almost entirely gone, leaving only rubble in its place.

(Image: Joe Sheridan)

These latest images reveal the empty expanse around the Park Lane roundabout.

(Image: Joe Sheridan)

The demolition project, which began in April, now carries an estimated cost of £31 million, an increase from the original £18 million estimate.

The government has been repeatedly urged to fund both the demolition and regeneration of the area, but has not yet made a decision.

The Park Lane roundabout remains closed to allow the work to continue.

Life as a TV star isn’t always so glamorous. 

Jenna Fischer catapulted to fame as ‘Pam Beesly’ on the beloved series The Office before landing a starring role on the sitcom Splitting Up Together. 

But the busy mother of two struggled to enjoy quality family time as a result of her leading role.

Now Fischer is revealing why the cancellation of the show turned out to be a blessing in disguise.  

‘It was during Splitting Up Together, which I really loved that cast so much, but the hours were so intense,’ she recalled during an appearance on the podcast, Dinner’s On Me With Jesse Tyler Ferguson.

‘It was like 65, 70 hours a week,’ she said. ‘It was really, really hard, and my kids were very small.

Fischer said she worked 70 hour weeks on the series Splitting Up Together

‘I just decided after that that being the lead of a television show or even a regular on a television show was not gonna be a fit for me anymore.’

Splitting Up Together ended up getting cancelled, allowing her to pursue a job that provided her with both a steady income and a flexible schedule. 

She now co-hosts the rewatch podcast Office Ladies with her former co-star Angela Kinsey.

‘So when that show was cancelled, that’s when I pivoted into podcasting with Angela. 

‘And that afforded me a lifestyle with both a steady income and also I was now at every school drop-off, every school pickup, every teacher conference, every concert,’ she said.  ‘I didn’t have to beg someone to go to the Halloween parade.

‘I was the agent of my own time, the architect of my own time, so to speak. And that was great.’

Funny enough, the star, who is synonymous with her role on The Office, became known as a ‘podcaster’ to her children.  

‘As a result, my kids – because they were so little when that change happened – they thought of me as a podcaster. Like if anybody asks them, “What does your mom do?” “Oh she’s a podcaster! She has a podcast.”

She played Pam Beesly opposite John Krasinski in the hit series  

The cancellation of Splitting Up Together ended up being a blessing in disguise for Fischer

‘They didn’t even understand what my podcast was about. “It’s called Office Ladies. It’s with her best friend, Angela.”‘ 

The Office aired for nine seasons from 2005 to 2013 on NBC.

The American version of The Office was based on the classic UK series of the same name created by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant.

Steve Carell starred as the manager of a paper company branch in Scranton, Pennsylvania, while Rainn Wilson, John Krasinski and Mindy Kaling, Jenna, Angela and Ellie Kemper were among the branch’s employees.

When the wildly popular series ended, the former cast continued to find success on television and the big screen.

The mom of two is now able to spend quality time with her children in a way starring on TV didn’t allow; pictured July 2026

Fischer starred opposite Oliver Hudson in Splitting Up Together, a show that ran for two seasons before its cancellation in 2019.

Later that same year, Fischer launched Office Ladies with her best friend and former co-star, Kinsey.  

In 2024, she announced she was ‘cancer free’ after she was diagnosed with Stage 1 Triple Positive breast cancer in 2023.

Fischer revealed her cancer diagnosis in October 2024, explaining that the cancer had been ‘aggressive but treatable.’

‘I never thought I’d be making an announcement like this but here we are,’ she posted to Instagram. ‘Last December, I was diagnosed with Stage 1 Triple Positive Breast Cancer. After completing surgery, chemotherapy and radiation I am now cancer free.’ 

Farmers Rob Morgan and Nicky Beynon claimed the decision to move the horses has come after months of pressure and stress

Horses that have grazed Rhossili Common for generations have been removed from the land following a dispute over grazing rights.

The removal comes after months of disagreement between local farmers and the National Trust.

However while farmers say they have faced increasing “pressure” from the organisation the National Trust says it never asked for the horses to be removed and was instead “reviewing” the number of animals grazing the land.

Local farmer Rob Morgan, who runs Rhossili Sunflowers and Gower Fresh Christmas Trees, shared the news on social media in a video showing the horses being herded away.

Speaking to the camera Mr Morgan said: “Busy day today… we have moved the horses this morning. Just constant pressure.”

The video then pans to farmer Nicky Beynon who thanked everyone who had helped look after the horses and supported him, Mr Morgan. and the wider farming community in Rhossili.

Mr Beynon has followed in the footsteps of his 94-year-old father Ernie who had looked after the horses throughout his life.

He said: “National Trust, they haven’t given us any support at all. In fact they have made our lives hell the last 18 months. Both me and Rob have had to prove our rights when our family have owned land here in this village for hundreds of years.”

Mr Morgan added: “But as you can see it’s farming – I do the sunflowers, Nicky does the horses. It is an income for all of us but it is a passion.”

He said the while th farmers loved meeting visitors and talking about the horses, including what they do and the work carried out by previous generations of their families, the situation has led to much stress.

“It has been very hard,” he said of their decision to move the horses. “It seems empty already, those cliffs there, but hope you understand our feelings but it does cause stress.”

It is understood that while the National Trust owns the common land at Rhossili the management and care of livestock, including the horses, is the responsibility of commoners. Commoners each have rights to graze a certain number of animals on the land.

Last year there were fears the horses could be removed after the National Trust reported receiving complaints about a stallion that was part of the herd. Never miss a Swansea story by signing up to our newsletter here.

The National Trust said it had written to the commoner who owned the horse requesting it be moved elsewhere because of public safety concerns.

However the National Trust further said it would be reviewing the number of horses grazing on the common, which it said had exceeded the agreed limit.

Speaking previously to WalesOnline Mr Morgan said the horses had been grazing at Rhossili for hundreds of years through generations of local families, describing them as well kept and looked after throughout the year.

He also pointed out the horses played an important role in grazing the vegetation, helping to keep paths open and creating diversity for flora, fauna, and wildlife.

He said: “I am sure everyone loves the sight of these horses.

“Sadly, through the eyes of National Trust and the minority who wish to shape Gower, this is not the case.”

A National Trust spokesman said: “We know how much the horses mean to people who visit Rhossili.

They belong to a local farmer who we understand holds traditional grazing rights and is responsible for their care and management. At no stage has the National Trust asked for the horses to be removed from Rhossili.

“We had been reviewing the number of horses on the common as they appeared to exceed the agreed limit we believe to be set out in those rights. Our priority remains visitor safety, animal welfare, and the ecological health of Rhossili.

“We were awaiting confirmation of the grazing rights before determining, subject to that information, how many horses could remain.

“However if the owner has now chosen to remove all the horses that decision is entirely his.”

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