A CWMBRAN man who bit his partner’s dog after throwing it against a sideboard, has narrowly missed prison, as he was handed a suspended sentence yesterday.

Timothy John Noonan, of Greenwood Avenue, Cwmbran had been found guilty to six charges against him and came before Newport magistrates for sentencing on Friday.

The 31-year-old was convicted of two counts of assault by beating against his then partner, two charges of causing suffering to an animal, namely his then partner’s dog, a threat to damage property and failure to surrender to police.

The court heard how in December last year, having been in a relationship for some time, Noonan had moved to live in Cornwall with his girlfriend, where the incidents occurred.

On December 22, the complainant’s boxer dog bitch was chewing a log.

Noonan threw a log at the dog, before grabbing her and throwing her against a sideboard.

Some days later, on Boxing Day, the pair had been on a walk with the dog.

Once back home, Noonan grabbed the dog, picked her up by the throat and bit her cheek.

But the attacks were also directed against his partner, who he kicked on December 29 and on December 30 he told her he would set fire to her car.

Ruth Hale for the prosecution, read from the complainant’s victim statement.

Ms Hale said: “She she is now nervous and jumpy and scared to go out of the house.”

Defending, Steven Mock, said his client was “not a lost cause” and had always kept regular employment.

He said “He recognizes he has issues with alcohol and anger management.”

Noonan was sentenced to 26 weeks imprisonment, to be suspended for two years.

The bench condemned Noonan’s actions in the sentencing hearing.

Chairwoman of the magistrates, Barbara Williams, said: “The act of violence was disgraceful against both your partner and the animal.”

A restraining order was placed upon him preventing him from making any contact with the complainant. He is disqualified from owning or keeping an animal for five years, must complete 200 hours of unpaid work and pay a total of £1,030 in costs and compensation.