Man punched women as he tried to steal their dog
Northumbria PoliceA man who punched two women as he tried to steal their "beloved" dog has been jailed for two years and 10 months.
Keiron Kennedy, 29, attacked the dog walkers in Sunderland after telling them to give him their pet or he would "hurt" them, Newcastle Crown Court heard.
The assault came to an end when a passing motorist intervened, with both women saying they had been left traumatised by Kennedy's actions.
Kennedy, a tattoo artist from Donwell in Washington, admitted attempted robbery.
The women were walking near a cemetery on Hylton Castle Road on 15 November 2023 when Kennedy approached them and asked to stroke their dog, prosecutor Gurjot Kaur said.
They walked away, but Kennedy ran after them and grabbed the dog's lead while saying "give us her or I'll hurt you", the court heard.
He punched one woman in the face before thrusting two fingers into her mouth and pulling her to the ground by her bottom lip, the court heard.
'Terrifying incident'
Kennedy also punched the other woman twice in the head and neck, with the attack ending when a passing motorist stopped and said they would call the police, Kaur said.
Both women suffered bruising and had changed where they walked their dog as they were scared of seeing Kennedy again, the court heard.
One also said she had been receiving counselling due to the trauma of the attack.
In mitigation, the court heard Kennedy had a history of mental health problems, was drunk at the time of the assault and was very sorry for his actions.
Recorder Nathan Moxon said it was a "terrifying incident" in which Kennedy used violence to try and "steal a living creature".
Had it not been for the "bravery" of the two women who defended their "beloved pet", Kennedy would have succeeded in taking the dog, the judge said.
