CONVICTED (2018) | Carl Thomas Richardson, born c. 1981, most recently of Rose Lane, Holme Slack, Preston PR1 – kicked his pet dog “like a rugby ball” while drunk
Richardson, a prolific criminal with 84 convictions for 137 offences, admitted kicking his dog, Pepper (not pictured), but said he was dazed after being violently assaulted.
Richardson got drunk at his grandfather’s funeral and was later left bleeding when a man assaulted him near his home, the bench at Preston Magistrates’ Court heard.
A police officer arriving at the scene on August 23, 2017, saw Richardson with blood over his face, staggering about in the road and waving his arms before kicking three-year-old Pepper.
It came to light during Richardson’s appeal hearing that the police officer made a statement claiming Richardson drop kicked Pepper “like a rugby ball”, causing the dog to fly across the road. He had also made remarks he kicked the animal because it had not bitten his assailants “like it was supposed to”.
The judge was critical of the decision not to allow the police officer to give evidence during the original hearing.
He said: “We reject this application.
“The defendant deliberately kicked the dog on the street, whether it’s his dog or someone else’s is irrelevant.”
He pointed out the penalty would have been “far more severe” if the officer’s evidence was admitted.
Richardson admitted failing to ensure her needs were met.
Sentencing:
Total of £435 fines, costs and charges (ordered to pay an additional £250 in costs for his unsuccessful appeal). Banned from keeping animals for three years (expired June 2021).