CONVICTED (2015) | Sean Thain, born c. 1995, of Plantingside Cottage, Edzell, Brechin DD9 7XR* – “choke-slammed” a husky puppy onto a tiled kitchen floor.
The unnamed puppy was left injured and limping after the spontaneous attack carried out by Thain at his parents’ home.
He appeared at Aberdeen Sheriff Court and admitted causing his family dog unnecessary suffering on March 21, 2014.
The court heard that Thain had invited three friends round to his home at Plantingside Cottage, Edzell, for some drinks as his parents were away.
When they arrived the four of them began drinking beer and vodka.
Shortly later, without warning, Thain picked up the puppy by her collar and tossed her into the air before throwing her down on the hard kitchen floor.
Fiscal depute Cheryl Clark said that the dog appeared to be injured as a result of the “choke-slam” and limped away under the table.
The court heard that later on, Thain became aggressive when friend Kyle Leask tried to take a pillow from the accused’s room so he could go to sleep on the floor.
Ms Clark said that Thain tried to punch Mr Leask and missed, but then kicked him in the chest.
The court heard that as a result of his behaviour a fight broke out among the friends and Thain’s parents returned home.
They then called the police.
Defence agent Iain McGregor told the court the husky had since died after catching meningitis. He said this was in no way connected to the incident involving his client.
Thain had also been accused of threatening to set the dog on fire the next morning, but his not guilty plea was accepted by the Crown.
Sentencing was deferred to June 2015 but the outcome isn’t available online.
Update September 2022
The Press and Journal reported that Thain was attacked at a party by a 25-year-old animal lover named Adam Martin. Adam lost his temper after overhearing Thain bagging to party guests that he’d killed a dog.
Aberdeen Sheriff Court heard Thain was left with permanent scarring after Adam’s attack left him with 10 stitches to the inside and outside of his mouth.
Fiscal depute Andrew McMann told the court that Adam and Thain had been drinking together at a house on Cairngrassie Circle, Portlethen, on October 15, 2021.
“During the course of the night, the accused received a telephone call from another person which appeared to aggravate him,” he said.
“As the complainer was standing beside a sofa the accused began to be aggressive towards him.
“An argument took place and the accused then headbutted the complainer who lost his balance and fell down.”
As Thain attempted to cover his face, Adam rained down repeated blows on his face.
Mr McMann said that Thain got up and tried to walk away, but Adam continued to punch him in the face “multiple times”.
Adam pleaded guilty to one charge of assault by headbutting and punching Thain to his injury.
Defence agent Christopher Maitland told the court that his client’s behaviour was in reaction to the complainer telling people he’d killed a dog.
“This was something he was boasting about,” Mr Maitland said.
“Mr Martin is an animal lover and took great umbrage to this – he’d been drinking and lost control.
“It’s very unfortunate that he acted in this way but he feels remorseful about it and has taken responsibility for his actions.”
Sheriff Andrew Miller told Martin: “I note that you have a previous conviction for assault but that was six and a half years ago.
“You have pled guilty at the first opportunity and I think the best thing all round to draw a line under this is to impose a fine.”
Adam, from Portlethen, was fined a total of £320.
*Additional Information
As of September 2022 Sean Thain reportedly lives in Cairnhill Way, Newtonhill, Stonehaven, Kincardineshire AB39 3ND.