CONVICTED (2020) | lifelong loser Niall Martin, born c. 1990, previously of Speedwell Road, Colchester and now the Strand in Ipswich – threw a police dog against a car, tried to choke her and wrenched her jaw open Police were called after a row broke out between Niall Martin and his partner in Colchester and officers attended along with police dog, Ivy. The police dog, Ivy, has since been retired Martin was hiding and when the highly trained German Shepherd bit him. He reacted by hurling her against the car, choking her and pulling apart her jaws. In a statement read out in court, Ivy’s dog handler said she genuinely feared for the animal’s life. She said: “She bit him on the arm and then Martin threw Ivy against a parked car. “I heard Ivy yelp with pain, he was trying to choke her. “I punched him to the back of the head with all my force to try to get her free. “I have never heard her make a noise like that before. “I genuinely believe he was trying to kill or seriously injure her.” Martin was convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal following a trial. He admitted a charge of possessing cannabis. Katie Armstrong-Mason, mitigating said: “On this particular day he had consumed alcohol and had an argument with his partner. “The dog runs after him and bites him on the leg. “The only reason he grabs the dog’s mouth is because he had been bitten and was in a lot of pain. “He didn’t want to be arrested – the last time he was he got a four-week prison sentence. “He has a borderline personality disorder and alcohol exacerbates his mental health problems – he gets in trouble when he drinks.” In October 2014, Martin has jailed for nine months for his part in an assault on a deaf-blind man and his brother. Police dog Ivy retired from active duty earlier in January 2020. She was not badly hurt in the incident with Martin. Chairman of the bench Don Wicks said: “This is a crossroads for you. “It is a last chance scenario to change your life for the better.” Sentencing: ten-week prison term suspended for a year. He must attend an accredited programme and 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days. Ordered to pay £300 costs, and £50 to the dog handler who suffered back pain during the incident. Daily Gazette