CONVICTED (2023) | Richard Bailey, born c. 1967, of Sugar Stubbs Lane, Banks, Southport PR9 8DD – hit a puppy repeatedly with a metal stick during a drunken rage.

Bailey, who has a history of violence, was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal in addition to one count of assault and one count of using threatening language or behaviour to cause harassment or distress.

The incident took place on July 7, 2022, at the Chepstow Castle pub on County Road, Liverpool. Bailey, accompanied by a four-month-old puppy called Shadow, was drinking at the bar but after several pints became irate. As the dog grew restless, Bailey shouted at him and pulled aggressively on his lead.

After Bailey took the dog to the bathroom, barmaid Winifred O’Neill heard the dog yelping in pain. A customer went into the bathroom to investigate and saw Bailey holding his metal walking stick above his head and the dog cowering below.

The customer tried to intervene and told him to stop hitting the puppy, but Bailey shouted “none of your business”, and carried on hitting the dog. He then started swinging the stick at other customers.

In the commotion, Bailey hit Ms O’Neill over the head with the stick, causing a small bruise. When she told him she was calling the police, he responded “I don’t give a f***”.

He continued shouting abuse, throwing punches and swinging his stick around at customers.

Michelle Dwyer, who was familiar with Bailey and his dog, entered the pub and tried to calm him down, but was unsuccessful. Ms Dwyer said Bailey threatened to burn her house down. As he had previously told her he knew how to build a bomb, she was concerned for her safety.

Eventually, members of the public managed to get the dog away from Bailey, and he left the scene. Ms O’Neill informed police they were no longer needed.

However, shortly after, Bailey returned shouting “where is my f***ing dog”, before picking up glasses from behind the bar and holding them above his head as if he was going to throw them.

He continued to swing his walking stick at other customers, before they got him out of the bar again and police arrived.

The puppy has since been fostered into a new home.

Bailey’s lawyer told the court his client currently lives in a caravan with no running water or electricity and has mental health issues.

Sentencing Bailey, District Judge Wendy Lloyd told him: “I am glad that this case has had a happy ending in that this puppy has been fostered.

“You apparently still see yourself as a victim in this. You used a stick on a woman and a dog.

“You showed no love to this animal, just anger, I am bewildered that anyone who knew you gave you a dog.”

Sentencing | six months’ imprisonment suspended for 18 months; £200 in costs, £150 compensation to each victim, plus a £154 surcharge; 30 rehabilitation days; restraining order. Banned from owning any animal for the rest of his life.

Liverpool Echo