A drunk man hit his own dog and a member of bar staff at a Liverpool pub, a court has heard.
Richard Bailey, 56, of Sugar Stubbs Lane, Banks, appeared at Sefton Magistrates Court on Wednesday. He was found guilty after trial on January 24 of one count of assault, one count of using threatening language or behaviour to cause harassment or distress, and to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.
Angela Conlan, prosecuting, detailed that on July 7, atChepstow Castle pub on County Road, Liverpool, Winifred Linda O’Neill was asked to help out behind the bar and was there when the pub opened at midday. Bailey was the first customer of the day, and was served four or five pints within an hour by Ms O’Neill who said he was pleasant to begin with.
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He was sitting on a stool with his dog, a four month old puppy named Shadow, but as time went on and the dog began to jump up, Bailey began to pull hard on his lead and shout at him. If any other customers went towards the dog to say hello, the puppy would jump up which caused Bailey to become irate, pull on the dog’s lead and become more aggressive.
Shortly after, he took Shadow to the bathroom, when Ms O’Neill heard a loud yelp coming from the puppy which "sounded like the dog was in pain". A different customer went into the bathroom and saw Bailey holding a metal walking stick above his head and the dog cowering below.
They tried to intervene and told him to stop hitting the puppy, but Bailey shouted “none of your business”, and carried on hitting the dog. He then started swinging the stick at other customers, and would not let go of the dog’s lead despite Shadow trying to pull away.
In the commotion, Bailey hit Ms O’Neill over the head with the stick leaving a small bruise, and when she told him she was calling the police, he responded “I don’t give a f***”. He continued shouting abuse, throwing punches and swinging his stick around at customers.
Michelle Dwyer, who was familiar with Bailey and his dog, entered the pub and tried to calm him down, but to no avail. Ms Dwyer said Bailey threatened to burn her house down, and had previously told her he knew how to build a bomb, so she was concerned for her safety.
Eventually, members of the public managed to get the dog away from Bailey, and he left the scene. Ms O’Neill informed police they were no longer needed. However, shortly after, Bailey returned shouting “where is my f***ing dog”, before picking up glasses from behind the bar and holding them above his head as if he was going to throw them.
He continued to swing his walking stick at other customers, before they got him out of the bar again and police arrived. The puppy has since been fostered into a new home.
Ian Birch, defending, said his client currently lives in a caravan with no running water or electricity, is struggling with his mental health, and wants to put the incident behind him. In sentencing, District Judge Wendy Lloyd said: “I am glad that this case has had a happy ending in that this puppy has been fostered.
“You apparently still see yourself as a victim in this. You used a stick on a woman and a dog.
“You showed no love to this animal, just anger, I am bewildered that anyone who knew you gave you a dog.” At this point in proceedings, Bailey interrupted and said: “Nobody gave me anything”.
Judge Lloyd ignored this, and continued: “You are clearly not able to look after yourself.” She sentenced Bailey to six months imprisonment suspended for 18 months, and ordered him to pay £200 in costs, £150 compensation to each victim, plus a £154 surcharge.
Bailey was banned from owning any animal for the rest of his life, and can not appeal this decision for ten years. He was ordered to work 30 rehabilitation days, and a restraining order barring him from contacting the two victims was implemented for five years.
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