CONVICTED (2023) | Michael Hilton, born 14 February 1962, of 1 Sanderson’s Croft, Leigh, Wigan WN7 2BA – captured on a Ring doorbell kicking, punching and stamping on his pet lurcher. Ben was repeatedly kicked and punched by Leigh man Michael Hilton Hilton was prosecuted by the RSPCA after the distressing film was passed on to them. He carried out what the RSPCA called a ‘sustained physical attack’ on the lurcher, Ben, in Leigh, Wigan, on December 6 last year. In the footage, he kicks the terrified dog 11 times, with nine of the blows of such force that Ben’s head and body jerked backwards from the impact, added the charity. Hilton also struck the lurcher in the region of his upper neck and shoulder. A spokesman said: “The footage was passed to the RSPCA, which launched an investigation, and he was subsequently interviewed, pleading guilty to one offence contrary to the Animal Welfare Act at a hearing on April 13.” The court heard how following the attack, Ben showed immediate signs of fear, dropping to the ground and attempting to pull away, but was unable to do so because he was being restrained on a lead by his owner. RSPCA inspector Vicki Brooks, who led the investigation for the animal welfare charity, said: “I viewed the footage and saw a person enter the field of view from the left with a large light coloured dog that appeared to be on a lead held by that person and wearing a dark coloured muzzle. “I saw the person forcefully kick, punch and stamp on the dog, striking the animal a total of 12 times with a foot and two times with a hand. “The dog could be seen trying to back away from the person. It was clear that the feet and hands made significant contact with the dog. The name and address provided for the person seen assaulting the dog in the footage was Michael Hilton.” Ben is now in the care of the RSPCA and will be rehomed. Sentencing | 12-month community order with 150 hours of unpaid work; costs of £400. FIVE-year ban on keeping animals (expires July 2028). Wigan Today ITV News