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Cody the dog: Pair admit part in dog set on fire case | Cody the dog: Pair admit part in dog set on fire case |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Two men have changed their pleas to guilty in a case involving a pet dog being set on fire in County Antrim. | Two men have changed their pleas to guilty in a case involving a pet dog being set on fire in County Antrim. |
Cody, a three-year-old collie, had to be put to sleep after being doused in accelerant and set alight in 2012. | Cody, a three-year-old collie, had to be put to sleep after being doused in accelerant and set alight in 2012. |
Andrew Richard Stewart, 23, from Wellington Park, Moira, pleaded guilty to the animal cruelty charge. | Andrew Richard Stewart, 23, from Wellington Park, Moira, pleaded guilty to the animal cruelty charge. |
His co-accused, Jamie Downey, 23, from Chestnut Hill Avenue, Moira, pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of perverting the course of justice. | His co-accused, Jamie Downey, 23, from Chestnut Hill Avenue, Moira, pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of perverting the course of justice. |
The pleas came on what was due to have been the second day of the pair's trial at Belfast Crown Court. | The pleas came on what was due to have been the second day of the pair's trial at Belfast Crown Court. |
Earlier in the case, Downey had denied a charge of cruelty. | Earlier in the case, Downey had denied a charge of cruelty. |
The attack happened in August 2012 in a quarry near the village of Maghaberry. | The attack happened in August 2012 in a quarry near the village of Maghaberry. |
On Thursday, a prosecution barrister told the Belfast Crown Court Stewart accepted he was the one who poured flammable liquid on the dog. | On Thursday, a prosecution barrister told the Belfast Crown Court Stewart accepted he was the one who poured flammable liquid on the dog. |
He added that Stewart accepted he acted alone. | He added that Stewart accepted he acted alone. |
The court heard Downey then made up a story of their movements that day, with Stewart. | The court heard Downey then made up a story of their movements that day, with Stewart. |
The judge told Stewart that he would face an "inevitable prison sentence". | The judge told Stewart that he would face an "inevitable prison sentence". |
They were both released on bail, pending sentencing on 7 October. | They were both released on bail, pending sentencing on 7 October. |
Cody's owner, Natalie Agnew, said she was "delighted" by the guilty pleas. | |
"We've waited two years for this, for the guilty verdict, and we look forward to the sentencing of the two culprits," she said. | |
"It's been horrendous, the effect it's had on the children, let alone what they actually did to the poor dog. | |
"The effect it's had on my two boys is still ongoing, they've had to have counselling and sleepless nights, nightmares. | |
"It's just been awful hard to try and come to terms with." |