A MAN has been jailed and banned from keeping dogs after a street attack left his victim with significant injuries.

Darrell Roberts, of Maes y Gornel in Rhos, appeared at Mold Crown Court on Wednesday afternoon for sentencing.

The 33-year-old had pleaded guilty at a previous hearing to being the owner of a dangerously out of control dog and wounding without intent.

Maria Masselis, prosecuting, told the court that on May 19 this year, victim Andrew Yeates was walking in Market Street in Rhos with his girlfriend.

At around 2pm, he was stopped by the defendant.

Mr Yeates owed Roberts money relating to drugs, Ms Masselis said, which was the "catalyst" for what came next.

Roberts told him: "You best f****** sort it out."

As the victim walked away, the defendant struck him to the right side of the head.

Mr Yeates turned to see Roberts with two large 'XL Bully-type dogs'.

Ms Masselis said the court could only take the victim's account and CCTV footage to determine the type of dogs, as the defendant had got rid of them following the offences and as such they were not seized by police.

The dogs were on leads, but not muzzled.

Roberts dropped both leads and started punching the victim to the face and ribs.

As Mr Yeates put the defendant into a headlock to prevent further strikes, Roberts picked him up and "slammed him into the ground" on a pointed concrete edge, before continuing to kick and stamp on his head and back.

One of the defendant's dogs then bit the victim to the calf and pulled, refusing to let go.

Eventually, the defendant relented and pulled the dogs away, but "launched himself" at Mr Yeates and began hitting him again when the victim said he'd have the animals put down.

Darrell Roberts (NWP)Darrell Roberts (NWP) (Image: North Wales Police) Ultimately, Roberts walked away and Mr Yeates was taken to hospital.

He'd sustained three fractured ribs, puncture wounds to his leg and significant swelling to his eye socket, cheek, lip, shoulder and chest.

Roberts, when interviewed, claimed he'd been acting in self defence.
A number of items associated with the dogs were found at Roberts' home, but not the dogs themselves.

Ms Masselis said the court could infer that the defendant had to dogs removed so as to stop the court from making an order in relation to them.

Judge Timothy Petts said the defendant had all but admitted that in his pre-sentence report.

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"He said he gave the dogs away because he was afraid they'd be put down," the Judge said.

The court heard Roberts had a number of previous convictions, including a hammer attack which left two people with significant injury in 2018.

Trevor Parry-Jones, defending, told the court: "This was a long-standing debt, but it wasn't from drugs. It was in relation to a car.

"The aggrieved had been contacted by Mr Roberts on many occasions and gave explanations why he wouldn't be paying.

"He was constantly palmed off.

"Mr Roberts had not set out on that day to cause any injury whatsoever.

"And he didn't just let the dogs loose - but he acknowledges and must take responsibility for the bite.

"He's a troubled man because of his background and upbringing.

"He allowed his emotions to get the better of him."

Judge Petts said to Roberts: "I don't think you urged [the dogs] on to attack, but clearly they were getting upset and excited by the situation and one of them bit your victim's leg.

"I've seen the nasty injuries that left."

The Judge jailed Roberts for a total of 18 months and banned him from owning dogs for 10 years.