CONVICTED (2006) | James David Nicholson, born 22/04/1984, at the time of conviction of Station Road, Colwyn Bay, but as at March 2020 living at 67 Pocket Nook Street, St Helens WA9 1NQ – repeatedly beat his dog and hung him from a lamp-post
Nicholson, who works as a part-time DJ under the name N-Tyce, was caught on camera hanging Jack Russell terrier Sweep from a lamp-post as he waited for a takeaway.
Magistrates watched CCTV footage showing Sweep cowering as his owner repeatedly beat him. Nicholson then hung the terrified dog from a lamp-post, before flinging him across a pavement.
Nicholson, who sobbed as he watched the footage in court, was told the attack had caused Sweep “physiological trauma”.
He admitted causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.
Chris Dawson, prosecuting for the RSPCA, said: “He left the dog hanging off the windowsill. When asked why he had done that, he said ‘He kept barking.’
“He said he’d had a bad night, but he hadn’t meant to take it out on the dog.”
Nicholson cried heavily while the footage was played to magistrates, and often shielded his eyes away from the screen.
Magistrates’ chairman Howie Roberts told Nicholson: “Quite frankly, we were disgusted by what we saw on the video.
“We hope you show a lot more respect for the animals in your care.”
Nicholson, a part-time DJ from Station Road, was caught on film outside the Bay Grill takeaway on Seaview Road, Colwyn Bay, just after midnight on 4 September 2005.
He was told he could not take the dog into the shop, but became increasingly angry at the pet barking while he was waiting outside.
It was then the brown and white dog’s ordeal started.
The CCTV footage shows the pet being whipped with the handle of the lead several times, flinching at every sudden blow.
Sweep tried to flee the attack, but was stopped from running away because of his lead.
Nicholson then lifted up the dog by the lead, with the Jack Russell hanging in mid-air. His owner tied the top of the lead to a lamppost, and hung the pet there for a few seconds.
But Nicholson seemed to realise the upset he caused Sweep, and took him into his arms. He held the dog close, and peppered him with kisses.
On the walk home, with a petrified Sweep dragging behind on the lead, Nicholson violently yanked the lead, flinging his pet over several feet.
He then kicked Sweep in the side of his body.
An RSPCA report said: “The persistent nature of the behaviour has caused the dog unnecessary suffering, primarily physiological trauma.”
It adds: “The body language of the dog clearly showed that the dog was afraid and repeatedly tried to get away, but was restricted by the lead.”
Gwyndaf Pari, defending, said: “It was a one-off offence, one at the lower end of the scale, perhaps one that was impulsive and one after which he has shown genuine remorse.
“Since then, he has looked after the dog well.
“It is an animal clearly loved by Mr Nicholson.
“He has certainly learned his lesson since, and was dealing with the stress a relatively new job brought. It is something that worried him.”
Sentencing: fined £250 with £262 court costs. He was not banned from keeping animals and was allowed to keep Sweep.