CONVICTED (2017) | Richard James Cheshire (since deceased), born 1982, of Beeches Road, West Bromwich B70 6HH – captured on CCTV kicking and stamping on his dog during a drunken rampage
Cheshire, who claimed in court to be an animal lover, was seen throwing bull terrier-cross Pablo across the floor, kicking him, stamping on his head and spitting on him.
The unemployed drunk was also seen chasing the dog into a lift where the animal ‘cowered and whimpered’ as his owner continued the beating and gave a thumbs up to the camera.
Part of the 30-minute recording of the assault in the communal area of Cheshire’s block of flats in Oldbury, West Midlands, was shown to magistrates who spared him a jail sentence.
As he left court in Birmingham he shouted to magistrates: ‘I want you to know, I love animals.’
Sukhdip Randhawa, defending, said Cheshire, who admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a dog, took Pablo in as a stray just a week before September’s attack.
He said his client was on ‘a bit of a bender’ during the incident and could not remember any of it.
‘He is an animal lover and would like to own a pet again in the future,’ he added.
Sentencing:
12-month community order with 120 hours of unpaid work. Banned from keeping animals for life but can apply to have the ban lifted after just two years.
2019 update:
BirminghamLive reported that Richard James Cheshire had died after being knocked down by a car. The driver’s name was Karma.