CONVICTED | Declan Connor, born 28 December 2001, of Neptune Court, Higher Bartle, Preston PR4 0QG – hit his pet dog over the head with a metal bar.
Aspiring rapper Connor admitted attacking Staffy Bruno (pictured) with the weapon but, unbelievably, magistrates have not banned him from owning animals and have allowed him to keep the dog.
Preston Magistrates took the view that a disqualification order was not necessary because Bruno was “difficult to control”.
Connor was ordered to keep Bruno under proper control and take him for an annual veterinary check up before June 14, 2023.
Sentencing | 12 month community order, £114 surcharge and £85 court costs.
#MostEvil | Martin Stewart, born c. 1988, of Rokeby Crescent, Strathaven ML10 6EG – put a dog in a headlock, hanged him from a door handle and stabbed him twice in the abdomen with a knife
Musician Stewart subjected black Lab Fergus to a frenzied attack which the dog miraculously survived
Twisted Martin Stewart, a musician in a band called Another Filthy Weekend as well as a hairdresser and personal trainer, carried out the horrific attack on his partner Kelly Steedman’s Labrador, Fergus.
The brute pleaded guilty to threatening and abusive behaviour and causing the dog unnecessary suffering and assault.
The court heard how Fergus survived the ordeal after receiving emergency treatment following the bloodbath.
Stewart is founder and singer with an up-coming band Another Filthy Weekend
Depute fiscal Jennifer Cunningham said: “On the day libelled both parties retired to bed after being outside for the NHS clap and were in the company of pet dog Fergus.
“Both the accused and the complainer fell asleep and at some point she woke up and went downstairs.
“While she was downstairs she heard a squealing noise and ran back upstairs and found the accused with the pet dog in a headlock.
“He was applying pressure to the dog’s neck and described the dog’s eyes as rolling to the back of its head. She attempted to pull the dog away from the accused and break his grip.
“The dog ran from the room but she was unable to calm the accused who ran downstairs and put a dog chain around its neck and tied the other end on the handle of the front door.
“He then pulled the chain to the ground resulting in the dog being lifted off the ground and suspended by its neck.
“The witness placed her arms under the dog in a bid to release the pressure while screaming for him to stop what he was doing and noted the dog was choking.”
Miss Cunningham added: “She opened the door and went outside to phone 999 but saw the accused with a kitchen knife stab the dog twice in the abdomen.
“The witness intervened and attempted to wrestle the knife from the accused but the accused then stabbed himself in the neck.”
The prosecutor also told how when police arrived Stewart told them “I’m God. I’m being commanded to kill you, you have come here to die demon” before making threats and lashing out at them.
Hairdresser Kelly Steedman is standing by Stewart despite him almost killing her dog. She even lodged a letter of support with the court.
Stewart’s lawyer said his client was examined by a psychiatrist and was found fit to plead to the charges.
After studying a criminal justice social work report, Sheriff Thomas Millar told Stewart: “This was a bizarre episode.
“You have made good progress addressing your issues since, but I want to ensure that continues through an extended period of supervision.”
Sentencing: two-year supervision order and no ban or deprivation order for Fergus.
CONVICTED (2019) | David Youngson, born 21 August 1961, of Bell Avenue, Peterhead AB42 7YS – failed to provide adequate veterinary attention and grooming for his Lhasa Apso pet dog.
David Youngson pleaded guilty to causing the dog, named Doodles, unnecessary suffering following an investigation by the Scottish SPCA.
The Lhasa Aspo was left struggling to walk due to matted fur. He was also contaminated with faecal matter around his hind and feet and smelled of of urine and faeces.
Doodles
Youngson was fined for cruelty to the dog, but the sheriff failed to ban him from keeping animals and Doodles was returned to him.
The Scottish SPCA said it was “disappointed” with how the case was dealt with, adding that it highlighted the need for “tougher and more consistent sentencing”.
Inspector Fiona Shand said: “The charge was dealt as Youngson caused Doodles suffering by failing to provide adequate veterinary attention and grooming.
“Upon veterinary examination, Doodles was found to have severely matted fur over his whole body.
“The matts were significantly contaminated with faecal matter around his hind and feet, and he smelt very strongly of urine and faeces.
“Doodles had a significantly reduced range of motion in all four limbs, and was lame on his right hind leg due to the matting restricting his movement.
“Once the matted fur had been clipped it became evident that there was urine scalding on all four feet, around the groin area as the matts had restricted urination.
“Doodles’ bodyweight on presentation was 9.4kg, after removal of the matted fur his bodyweight was 7.5kg.”
Inspector Shand added: “Although we welcome the fact that this case has been dealt with by the court, we are disappointed with the sentence handed down.
“As no ban was issued, Doodles had to be returned to Youngson’s care.
“This case further highlights our push for tougher and more consistent sentencing.
“This degree of matting had not occurred quickly and is likely to have taken a considerable amount of time to get to this state.
“Doodles suffered unnecessarily as a result of this and it could have been easily avoided.”
CONVICTED (2016) | Tyrone Davies, born c. 1994, of Cysgod Y Mynydd, High Street, Bangor LL57 1EA – inflicted blunt force trauma on a young dog.
Davies, who is a persistent violent offender, was prosecuted for cruelty after being spotted by a passer-by lifting his dog into the air by her collar and throwing her onto the ground as she yelped in pain. Miraculously, the dog – a brindle Staffy known as Stitch – escaped serious injury.
Despite the sadistic nature of his actions against a helpless dog and his history of violence, the courts failed to ban Davies from keeping animals and Stitch was returned to him.
Tyrone Davies: violent criminal, animal abuser, father …
Mike Pugh, RSPCA inspector, said: “Clearly, this dog was badly mishandled, and this man has faced the consequences for his actions. It’s a clear warning as to what can happen when pets are mistreated in this way.
“Owning a dog is a big, and very fortunate, responsibility.”
He added: “There are clear and important laws which must be followed to ensure the welfare of animals, and the RSPCA stands ready to enforce those laws to protect dogs like Stitch.
“Whilst the court ruled, on this occasion, that the man could keep his dog, we hope his guilty plea highlights how he has learned his lesson, and will treat his dog with the respect it deserves, and within the law, in the future.”
Sentence: £150 fine, £30 victim surcharge; £650 costs. No ban or deprivation order.
CONVICTED (2006) | James David Nicholson, born 22/04/1984, at the time of conviction of Station Road, Colwyn Bay, but as at March 2020 living at 67 Pocket Nook Street, St Helens WA9 1NQ – repeatedly beat his dog and hung him from a lamp-post
Nicholson, who works as a part-time DJ under the name N-Tyce, was caught on camera hanging Jack Russell terrier Sweep from a lamp-post as he waited for a takeaway.
Magistrates watched CCTV footage showing Sweep cowering as his owner repeatedly beat him. Nicholson then hung the terrified dog from a lamp-post, before flinging him across a pavement.
Nicholson, who sobbed as he watched the footage in court, was told the attack had caused Sweep “physiological trauma”.
He admitted causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.
Chris Dawson, prosecuting for the RSPCA, said: “He left the dog hanging off the windowsill. When asked why he had done that, he said ‘He kept barking.’
“He said he’d had a bad night, but he hadn’t meant to take it out on the dog.”
Nicholson cried heavily while the footage was played to magistrates, and often shielded his eyes away from the screen.
Magistrates’ chairman Howie Roberts told Nicholson: “Quite frankly, we were disgusted by what we saw on the video.
“We hope you show a lot more respect for the animals in your care.”
Nicholson, a part-time DJ from Station Road, was caught on film outside the Bay Grill takeaway on Seaview Road, Colwyn Bay, just after midnight on 4 September 2005.
He was told he could not take the dog into the shop, but became increasingly angry at the pet barking while he was waiting outside. It was then the brown and white dog’s ordeal started.
The CCTV footage shows the pet being whipped with the handle of the lead several times, flinching at every sudden blow.
Sweep tried to flee the attack, but was stopped from running away because of his lead.
Nicholson then lifted up the dog by the lead, with the Jack Russell hanging in mid-air. His owner tied the top of the lead to a lamppost, and hung the pet there for a few seconds.
But Nicholson seemed to realise the upset he caused Sweep, and took him into his arms. He held the dog close, and peppered him with kisses.
On the walk home, with a petrified Sweep dragging behind on the lead, Nicholson violently yanked the lead, flinging his pet over several feet.
He then kicked Sweep in the side of his body.
An RSPCA report said: “The persistent nature of the behaviour has caused the dog unnecessary suffering, primarily physiological trauma.”
It adds: “The body language of the dog clearly showed that the dog was afraid and repeatedly tried to get away, but was restricted by the lead.”
Gwyndaf Pari, defending, said: “It was a one-off offence, one at the lower end of the scale, perhaps one that was impulsive and one after which he has shown genuine remorse.
“Since then, he has looked after the dog well.
“It is an animal clearly loved by Mr Nicholson.
“He has certainly learned his lesson since, and was dealing with the stress a relatively new job brought. It is something that worried him.”
Sentencing: fined £250 with £262 court costs. He was not banned from keeping animals and was allowed to keep Sweep.
