Worcester thug who used dog as weapon is jailed for eight years

Ring leader Andrew Cornes set the large Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross on Alan Keylock in The Trinity in Worcester, shouting 'get him!' as Kimbo sank his teeth multiple times into the victim, inflicting deep puncture wounds.

The victim also suffered a broken arm though he did not know whether the dog had done this or the gang of four which beat him afterwards.

Bobby Watts and Aaron Abbott and two youths set upon the injured man, kicking and punching him in the head during the attack at around 3.20am on February 3 this year. The sustained attack lasted at least a minute.

Watts and Abbott were each jailed for 16 months at Worcester Crown Court yesterday. Sobs went up from the public gallery when Abbott was jailed.

Twenty minutes before the attack the victim had expressed concerns about the dangers posed by the dog to a police officer but no action was taken, the court heard.

Andrew Cornes, 35, of George Street, Worcester admitted grievous bodily harm with intent (section 18) and of being the owner of a dog which caused injuries while dangerously out of control.

Bobby Watts, aged 19, of Westmount Road, London admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm and affray. Watts was also sentenced for unconnected matters from Manchester involving possession of a lock knife and a steak knife.

He was homeless and on bail for the Worcester attack when found in possession of the blades.

Aaron Abbott, aged 18, of Solent Road, Worcester (aged 17 at the time of the attack) denied assault occasioning actual bodily harm and affray for his part in the Worcester incident but was convicted after trial at the youth court.

Two youths, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, have already been sentenced to 12 month referral orders for affray and ABH for their part in the attack in the aftermath of the dog attack.

The victim was left with a gaping wound to the armpit, puncture wounds to his arms, a fracture to his ulna (a bone in his arm) and cuts to the right cheek and nose.

Ian Ball, prosecuting, described how 20 minutes before the attack Mr Keylock and a friend were in McDonald's in Worcester.

There they saw Cornes was part of a group, parading the 'intimidating' dog around, making it bark and being 'antagonistic'.

Mr Keylock headed in the direction of Bushwackers when they met the same group again and were confronted by them.

Cornes pulled the dog's lead to make it 'rear up' before releasing it and saying 'get him, get him, get him!'

The victim described the dog jumping up and hanging off his arm as he tried to get the animal to let go by punching it in the head.

"He could feel the teeth piercing the skin" said Mr Ball. The victim was extremely concerned the dog would bite his face and the wounds to his right arm had been defensive injuries.

The victim was punched and kicked by four other people while on the floor. Mr Keylock remembers 'a popping noise' which he thought was 'a wound bursting open'. Cornes was also said to have struck the victim with the dog's lead.

Mr Keylock was taken to A&E at Worcestershire Royal Hospital where he was treated for seven puncture wounds to his forearm, a gaping wound to his armpit, a broken wrist and bruising to his face.

The defendants were arrested at an upstairs flat in George Street, Worcester where some gave false names and tried to escape. Mr Ball referred to them as 'uncooperative', challenging, intoxicated and 'pushing and jostling officers'.

Since the attack the victim has suffered flashbacks and had been unable to work, complaining of reduced range of movement to his right arm and headaches from where he was kicked to the head. A later infection resulted in him having to return to hospital and medication caused side effects. The injuries forced him to offer his resignation from a job with a £40,000 annual salary.

Cornes has 115 previous convictions for 58 offences, including an offence of grievous bodily harm for which he received a nine month prison sentence.

He has convictions for assault occasioning actual bodily harm, possession of offensive weapons, burglary, battery and assaulting police officers, robbery and public order offences.

Watts has no previous convictions or cautions. Abbott has convictions for wounding with intent, two robberies, criminal damage and theft.

Judge Nicholas Cole said to Cornes: "I have to sentence you for your part in a despicable attack on a member of the public simply enjoying a night out, his first in some time."

He said: "You were quite clearly using the dog as a weapon, shouting 'get him, get him', encouraging the dog to attack swinging the lead around. This was a dog mauling someone in the street, urged on by you."

The judge also said because of the earlier attack by the dog the victim was particularly vulnerable to the attack which followed by the others in the group.

He jailed Cornes for eight years, Watts for 16 months and Abbott for 16 months.

The fate of the dog will be discussed at a further hearing on October 18.

This will address whether the dog is subject to an immediate destruction order or a contingent destruction order. A contingent destruction order would mean the dog is not destroyed as long as certain stringent conditions are met, such as the dog being muzzled in public.

Mark Sheward, Cornes's solicitor, said the defendant's aunt would be prepared to look after the dog. If the police seek the dog's destruction Mr Sheward said the defence would wish to instruct its own dog expert.