A former soldier who kidnapped a couple's pet chihuahua and locked the dog in a suitcase during a violent robbery has been jailed for three years. Shaun Docherty, 31, admitted abducting and assaulting the dog's owners at their home in Chestnut Crescent, East Kilbride, on January 4 this year.
Attack and abduction
Hamilton Sheriff Court heard that Docherty had only met the couple the previous evening and joined them for drinks. When he woke up the next morning, he became agitated and aggressive. Prosecutor Daisy Bentley said: "He grabbed a glass and struck one man on the head with it. He then hit the second victim on the head with a glass bottle." Docherty demanded money and said he would use the couple's small chihuahua, Liza, as "collateral". He put the dog in a suitcase and zipped it up.
Docherty then ripped a sheet, forced one victim to lie on a bed with his hands behind his back, and tied his wrists and ankles together. He left the house carrying Liza in the suitcase, along with two mobile phones, a drill, and bottles of alcohol. The other victim was forced to drive his Hyundai car to Margaret Road, Hamilton, where Docherty made him withdraw £300 from two cash machines.
Dog held hostage
During the ordeal, Docherty took the suitcase containing Liza into a shop to prevent the victim from driving away. At one point, he left the car with the suitcase, alcohol, and drill, gesturing for the victim to leave. But the victim refused to abandon his dog and circled the area until he found Docherty. When he asked for Liza back, Docherty opened the passenger door, placed the suitcase on the seat, punched him in the face, and told him to "F*** off".
Back at the house, the other victim had freed himself and alerted a neighbour. Police armed response units were deployed but Docherty was not found at that time. He eventually handed Liza back unharmed and made off with the cash and alcohol.
Sentencing
Defence lawyer Laura Kiernan said Docherty had a "traumatic" childhood and struggled with alcohol and cocaine addiction. She told the court: "He was in the army but due to an injury he was discharged. He wishes to apologise to the complainers in this case. He can offer no explanation for his behaviour other than his consumption of alcohol."
Sheriff John Hamilton KC described the behaviour as "disturbing and appalling" and sentenced Docherty to three years in prison. He also imposed non-harassment orders banning Docherty from contacting the victims for 25 years. The sentence will run consecutively to a 27-month term Docherty received earlier this year for a separate assault and robbery.
