A man who repeatedly kicked and burned his Staffordshire Bull Terrier dog with cigarettes has been sent to jail for four months.

Barry Garside-Neville, formally of The Haldens in Welwyn Garden City, was given a lifetime ban on owning dogs and sentenced to 12-weeks after he was found guilty of failing to protect his pet Staffy, Ruby, from pain, injury, suffering and disease as well as subjecting her to physical trauma.

St Albans & Harpenden Review:

Garside-Neville, who now lives in the Norfolk area, was also given an eight-week sentence for breaching an existing community order.

On Thursday, May 1, St Albans Magistrates Court heard how Ruby, who would often be seen cowering away from Garside-Neville. Witnesses described they had seen the 29-year-old man intimidate her until she wet herself.

He then picked her up, threw her, kicked her and holding her in the air blowing down her nose.

As well as physically abusing and tormenting Ruby, Garside-Neville left her bad skin condition untreated by vets.

After the sentencing Rachel Smith, RSPCA inspector, described how Ruby would cower away from Garside Neville when in his company.

She said: "It is unbelievable someone could inflict such pain and suffering on an animal.

"This poor little dog has been left with not just the physical scars of her abuse but also the mental ones. Whenever she meets someone new she will sit and shake for about five minutes until she decides you are ok and will not harm her. Once she has relaxed then she is a delightful dog who is very friendly and loves to play.

"Ruby has been with a foster family for a while and she is doing so much better. She is still affected by her experiences.

"It is only thanks to the police and members of the public that came forward and were witnesses in the case that we were able to bring this matter to court and we are very grateful."