CONVICTED (2023) | Lee T Preston, born c. 1986, of Grove Avenue, Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 3BA – caught on a video doorbell kicking a puppy he had bought in an attempt to win back his girlfriend.

Preston had been dumped by his partner due to his poor behaviour towards her. In a foolish attempt to rekindle the relationship, he purchased a dog and took him to her house. But she saw him assault the puppy by kicking him, causing him to yelp in pain.

Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard in another incident, he went to her house and attacked her door. When she went outside, he slammed her against a wall and bit her on her neck.

Now Preston, a chartered accountant, has been jailed for 16 months.

Prosecutor Omar Majid said Preston had been in a relationship with his victim after meeting her at their mutual workplace: Dunelm. But she found him increasingly volatile, physical and controlling and called quits on their relationship.

On September 28, 2022, she was at home when Preston turned up unannounced. Mr Majid said: “He started to kick her front door and caused damage to the bottom corner of the door meaning it did not lock properly.”

Preston bought a puppy for his victim in an attempt to win her back but on November 22 she received a notification from her doorbell footage.

Mr Majid said: “When she opened it she saw Preston kick the dog and it could be heard yelping in pain. It was clearly a sadistic attack.”

The fate/current whereabouts of the puppy were not reported.

Preston turned up at his victim’s home on December 18 and was aggressive and verbally abusive. Mr Majid said: “He started to kick the front door and pull the doorbell off the wall.

“She decided to go out and look at the door. When she went out the argument continued and she told him to leave. He grabbed her by her hair and dragged her and during the fight he bit her on her neck having slammed her against the wall of the garage.

“She kept telling him to leave but he refused. He picked up a flower pot and threw it at the door.”

A neighbour who witnessed the incident said it was ‘horrific’ to watch.

The victim said Preston’s behaviour impacted on her mental health.

Preston pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm; two charges of criminal damage; and causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.

Barry White, mitigating, said his client had spent four weeks on remand after his arrest and did not fit into the prison environment at all.

But Recorder Robert Smith said the offending was so serious only an immediate jail sentence could be justified. He told Preston: “I completely reject your profound remorse. I find you jealous, controlling and an arrogant man. I find you pose a risk of causing serious harm to partners.”

Sentencing | 16-month custodial for animal and domestic abuse. No mention of a ban.

Stoke Sentinel
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