CONVICTED (2021) | Babatundi ‘Baba’ Edwards, born 9 December 1991, of Pinxton Court, Mansfield NG18 3RS – slammed a helpless dog to the ground before launching a sustained and vicious attack on him. Father-of-three Babatundi Edwards was caught on camera attacking Staffordshire bull terrier Bandit. The court heard how the dog ran out of a block of flats on Pinxton Court and hid under bushes, cowering and shaking, while Edwards shouted for him to come back. Bandit slunk back, low to the ground and appeared to be terrified before Edwards grabbed him, lifted him above his head and threw him ‘forcefully’ to the ground where he landed on his head and back. Edwards then jumped on the dog, punched and kicked him ‘multiple times’ and attempted to strangle him, before returning to his flat. The incident was filmed by a neighbour after she heard Bandit’s terrified yelps. The court heard the neighbour had been concerned about the dog’s welfare for some time. A vet said the impact of being hurled to the floor could have broken the dog’s neck – and kicking him could have been fatal. Summing up, the prosecutor said that Edwards was “clearly not fit to be responsible for any animal of any sort. It was a prolonged course of violent behaviour.” When interviewed by police, Edwards said: “Bandit didn’t know how to be a dog.” adding that the dog’s training wasn’t going well. Abbie Edwards, mitigating, said her client had no previous convictions and there had been no offences since. His other dog , Roxi, was taken from him. “There is simply no justification for this offence and Mr Edwards recognises that. He deeply regrets his actions.” She said he owned his own dog for many years with no issues, but a friend asked him to look after Bandit and then failed to reclaim him. Edwards admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal. Sentencing: 18-week custodial sentence, suspended for two years, with 10 rehabilitation days to tackle his anger management issues; £205 in costs and charges. Disqualified from keeping all animals for 10 years (expires April 2031). Chad