CONVICTED (2017) | Lewis Gibson, born c. 1981, with last known address of Worbarrow Gardens, Poole BH12 but as at June 2019 said to be no fixed abode – kicked a puppy 3ft into the air during an argument with his girlfriend
Career criminal Gibson, who has racked up multiple offences for theft and assault, shouted at and shoved partner Nicola Moody in the street before her friend walked over with her dog, called Frankie, to try and calm him down.
But in a fit of temper the yob booted the six-month-old Staffordshire bull terrier puppy in the ribs.
The force of the blow launched Frankie into the air, causing him to yelp in pain.
Gibson fled the scene as did the terrified dog who was later found “cowering” in a corner in a distressed state. Fortunately he wasn’t injured.
The incident in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, was witnessed by three members of the public, including an off-duty policeman.
Gibson later claimed he had kicked the dog because he thought it was about to go for him. He also claimed he shoved his partner in an act of self-defence.
He was charged with assaulting Miss Moody and causing unnecessary suffering to an animal, which he denied.
Magistrates in Poole heard the couple had been together for three years but had a turbulent relationship.
They began rowing in the street at 6pm on June 29, 2017.
PC Scott Norman, of Thames Valley Police, was staying in a house in the street and looked outside when he heard shouting.
He said Gibson walked toward Miss Moody “very aggressively”.
He said: “She put her hand up to keep him a distance away. He slapped her hand away and gave her a shove. She had to take several steps back.
“She was definitely scared, I could tell by her voice and demeanour.”
PC Norman went to get his phone and call the police so he missed the attack on the dog.
Witness Robert Barabas said he saw Miss Moody and her friend, Anna Taylor, walk away from Gibson with the dog on a lead when he kicked him.
He said: “He kicked it from behind under the ribs. The dog flew at least half a metre into the air and then yelled in pain.”
Cyclist Satpal Sandhu added: “The dog was on a leash, I couldn’t hear what she was saying to him but he turned to her, shouted and kicked the dog.
“The dog wasn’t doing much, it wasn’t even barking. It visibly went up in the air by about a metre and yelped.”
The court heard a police officer went to Miss Moody’s flat afterwards and saw the dog cowering, curled up in a tight ball, clearly very shaken and in a distressed state.
Gibson failed to turn up at court for his trial but magistrates said the witness statements were consistent and found Gibson guilty of assault and causing unnecessary suffering to an animal in his absence.
The magistrates said the case crossed the custody threshold and issued a warrant for Gibson’s arrest.
Sentencing: on 12 October 2017 the Daily Echo reported the following:
Gibson was found guilty of assaulting a person at Bournemouth on 29/6/17. Also was found guilty of kicking a dog into the air at Bournemouth on 29/6/17. Also admits to failing to surrender to custody at Poole Magistrates on 21/9/17 having been released on bail in criminal proceedings on 21/8/17. Also admits to stealing alcohol and food items to the value of £125 belonging to Tesco store, Riverside Avenue, Bournemouth, on 12/7/17. Community order made. To participate in an accredited programme for 42 days. Building Better Relationships Programme. Rehabilitation Activity Requirement for a maximum of 20 days. To carry out unpaid work for 80 hours within the next 12 months. To pay £85 victim surcharge and £100 court costs.
Update June 2019
Lewis Gibson, said to be of no fixed abode, was jailed for a total of two years and four months after pleading guilty to five counts of burglary and asking for 11 other burglary offences to be taken into consideration.
He was also sentenced for assault occasioning actual bodily harm and possession of an offensive weapon in relation to a separate incident in Wimborne Road in Bournemouth on September 19, 2017.