In 2026, the Offender Database reported that Paul Thorpe, then 62, of the Orchard Park Estate, Hull, Kingston upon Hull, East Yorkshire, was handed a suspended prison sentence following a vile and sadistic act of animal cruelty. Paul Thorpe, a convicted child rapist, dangled a neighbour’s cat named Salem over a fence into the jaws of a dog, reportedly doing so with a smile on his face. The court heard that Thorpe appeared to gain “enjoyment” from the horrific attack, which left the cat with life-altering injuries, including the loss of a leg and her tail.
The investigation revealed that Paul Thorpe had “quizzed” a neighbour about his dogs’ temperament toward cats before intentionally placing Salem on the head of one of the dogs. Despite the vile nature of the act and the grave injuries caused, Thorpe showed no remorse or guilt throughout the proceedings. He admitted to failing to prevent unnecessary suffering. He was handed an eight-month prison sentence, suspended for a specified period, along with 15 days of rehabilitation and an order to pay £300 in compensation to the owner.
The court was reminded of Paul Thorpe’s horrendous criminal history. In December 2009, while living in Bransholme, Hull, Thorpe was jailed for over 10 years for the violent rape of a nine-year-old girl and the sexual assault of a 17-year-old girl. In the vile attack on the child, Thorpe used the guise of a game to blindfold the victim before carrying out the rape. He also targeted a teenager, offering her money for sex and sexually assaulting her when she refused; the victim was forced to flee for her life with only one shoe.
As a result of his historical convictions for rape and sexual assault, Paul Thorpe remains on the Sex Offenders Register for life. He is managed under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) by Humberside Police, remaining under intensive supervision for the duration of his life. His recent sadistic behaviour toward animals has sparked significant public concern regarding his continued presence on the Orchard Park Estate. Any breach of his suspended sentence or his strict registration requirements in Hull or the wider East Yorkshire area will result in his immediate return to prison.
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