CONVICTED (2017) | Lee Andrew Johnson, born 26/07/1978, previously of Weardale, County Durham, and more recently (June 2020) of Hadfield Street, Wombwell, Barnsley S73 0JR – fractured a pet dog’s skull in a hammer attack. Johnson was convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal following a trial. Kevin Campbell, prosecuting for the RSPCA, said the defendant and his partner were at her address in Tow Law on January 30, 2016. Lee Andrew Johnson launched a violent attack on a helpless dog named Alfie In evidence accepted at the earlier trial, the court heard coffee was spilt and the defendant “went into a mood”. The court heard he shouted at the animals then picked up a hammer from a tool box and “struck” the dog known as Alfie. Mr Campbell said it was the prosecution’s case that the Staffordshire bull terrier type dog was hit on several occasions. Despite launching a vicious attack on a helpless dog, Lee Johnson is only banned from keeping animals for five years “He had thrown the hammer at the dog and hit the dog’s foot,” he added. “As it was going out he kicked the dog.” A vet’s report confirmed Alfie had bruising to his body and a number of injuries that could be “clearly seen” including marks on his head and skull fracture. Magistrates heard the defendant’s case in the trial was that he used the hammer in an act of self defence. Johnson claimed Alfie had bitten him, and had injuries akin to a dog bite on his hand. He  claimed he reached for the hammer to release the dog’s grip. Sentencing: 18-month community order with 30 rehabilitation days. Ordered to pay £500 costs and a £60 victim surcharge. Banned from keeping dogs for just five years (expired February 2022). ITV News