Woolacombe burglar found guilty of stabbing dog to death

A Woolacombe man who stabbed a small pet dog to death in a frenzied attack during a burglary in the village will be sentenced at Exeter Crown Court towards the end of March.

Alexandru Balea, 23, of South Street, Woolacombe, pleaded guilty to burglary and causing unnecessary suffering to an animal when he appeared at Exeter Magistrates Court on Monday, February 26. He was also found guilty of criminal damage.

The court heard he stabbed the dog 16 times or more after breaking into the house in Woolacombe between 10am and 6.50pm on Thursday, February 22.

When the residents returned they found their dog dead with multiple injuries and alcohol stolen. 

Balea was arrested the following day.

He was committed to Exeter Crown Court for sentencing and has been remanded in custody until the hearing on Monday, March 25 at 10am, with a pre-sentencing report requested.

Speaking after Balea’s arrest, Andrew Wills, Sector Inspector for North and West Devon, said residential burglary in this community was ‘very rare’.

He said: “This is an offence which will understandably cause concern in a community where residential burglary is fortunately very rare. It is currently not being linked to any other reports.”