A Widnes man who stabbed his ex-girlfriend's dog and battered it with a hammer has been jailed for four-and-a-half years. Lewis Walker, 33, of Cherry Sutton in Widnes, was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday after admitting one count of controlling and coercive behaviour.
The court heard Walker filmed himself kicking the pet dog, named Odie, 17 times on March 31 2023 and sent the video to his then partner. In autumn 2024, he armed himself with a hammer, warned "watch what happens", and hit the howling animal before stabbing it with the claw end of the implement while the victim screamed for him to stop.
Judge describes cruelty as 'one of the worst cases'
Judge Garrett Byrne said: "Your conduct here was horrific. Your behaviour traumatised her and made her life a living nightmare. Your behaviour towards her dog was cruel and inhumane. It is one of the worst cases of causing an animal suffering that the court has seen. In my view, there is no significant mitigation."
The court heard Walker's abuse of his partner began around 2021, with the defendant having "called her names like whale", headbutted her, locked her out of their home and made threats to kill her. On June 30 last year, he placed both hands around her neck and squeezed, leaving her "extremely frightened". He also poured bleach over her clothing and smashed a fishbowl on the floor.
Threats to 'paint the house red'
On January 20 this year, Walker threatened to "destroy her face" before slapping her, causing a perforated eardrum. He also threatened his then girlfriend with the hammer, telling her "you'll be next", and claimed he would "paint the house red with the dogs" and threatened to stab police officers if she dialled 999.
Walker later called the veterinary surgery where she worked and claimed he had been attacked by Odie, leading to the dog being put down. In a statement read to the court, the victim said: "There's no amount of prison time that can heal me or undo the trauma and damage. I'll have to live with the consequences of what the defendant did for the rest of my life."
Previous convictions and sentencing
Walker has five previous convictions for seven offences, including three years for inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent in 2012, four years for robbery and possession of an offensive weapon in 2014, and 26 weeks for common assault in 2018. Paul Wood, defending, said: "Matters are aggravated by the defendant's previous convictions. They do not assist this matter, but the amount of weight to be placed on them should be tempered."
Walker was also handed a criminal behaviour order banning him from owning a dog for 15 years and a restraining order preventing him from contacting his ex indefinitely. One woman in the public gallery was heard to tell him "love you bro" as he was led to the cells, while a man added: "Love you mate. See you lad. Ugly little f***ing rat. Sweaty t**t."
