Today in court: Dangerous dog couple appeal sentence

John Hiles, aged 48, and Laura Prangley, 37, of Duke of Edinburgh Way, Malvern are due at Worcester Crown Court today for an appeal against sentence.

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The dog bit two people on the same day, putting both in a Worcester hospital after the animal suffered abuse at the hands of a former owner.

Read original dog attack story

The abandoned dog, called Crackers, had been brutally attacked by a previous owner who had beaten him about the head with a metal pole. The dog carried out the attacks in Malvern just 12 hours after being adopted by the couple where it was hoped he would go on to live out a better, happier life.

GUILTY: John Hiles and Laura Prangley. Photo: James Connell

GUILTY: John Hiles and Laura Prangley leave court in November

Although the dog will not be destroyed, he will now have to spend the rest of his life in a rescue centre to protect the public and must be muzzled and kept on a lead at all times if he goes outdoors.

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Both admitted being in charge of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier that was dangerously out of control and caused injury when they appeared before magistrates in Worcester last November.

The rescue dog, previously known as Kaiser (but renamed by the couple), had been in their possession just 12 hours when he bit Geraldine Price on the hand in Duke of Edinburgh Way in Malvern on March 15 last year.

The dog, which the couple adopted from Birch Hill kennels in Worcester, bit John Southall later the same day at Malvern Retail Park, the couple claiming they had been at the shops to buy a muzzle after the first attack.

By chance the two victims met in A&E at Worcestershire Royal Hospital in Worcester where they were both receiving treatment. When they began a conversation they 'both realised they had both been bitten by the same dog'.

al was to be properly managed and should have a harness and sign to say he was a nervous dog.

Since the incidents the dog has been house by police in their kennels at a cost of over £4,000.

Magistrates ordered Prangley to pay £150 in compensation to Miss Price. Hiles was ordered to pay £150 to Mr Southall.

The pair were disqualified from keeping dogs for two years. A contingent destruction order was made. If Crackers goes out in public he must wear a muzzle and be on a leash not longer than two metres. If these conditions are followed he will not be destroyed.

Meanwhile the assault trial of Pawal Kowalik, aged 46, of Northwick Road, Evesham is continuing today at Worcester Crown Court with the possibility that a verdict may be reached.

Colton Bryan was stabbed to death at his home in Guinness Close last week

MISSED: Colton Bryan (inset) and the scene of the killing in Redditch

The Redditch murder trial is now entering its final stages with closing speeches held on Monday and yesterday ahead of the summing up by Judge James Burbidge QC.

Judge James Burbidge QC who is hearing the case

SENIOR: Judge James Burbidge QC, the Recorder of Worcester and one of a select few judges qualified to preside over murder trials.

Yesterday the jury heard some of the defence closing speeches, including that of Balraj Bhatia QC who argued that the alleged 'mastermind' of the murder, Mohammed Saddam Hussain, could not have organised the fatal plot but did pervert the course of justice by helping his brother flee the country in the aftermath.

Mr Bryan, 22, was stabbed to death inside his flat in Guinness Close, Redditch shortly after 9.30pm on July 15 last year.

Adam Carpenter, 21, of Wharrington Hill, Redditch, Faisal Fiaz, 21, of Millsbro Road, Redditch and Mohammed Saddam Hussain, 25, of Oakfield Avenue, Birmingham are on trial at Worcester Crown Court. All three men deny murder and conspiracy to rob.

Meanwhile, Mohammed Hammed Hussain, the brother of defendant Mohammed Saddam Hussain, left the country, boarding the first available flight to Pakistan after the stabbing.

The stabbing involved a large hunting knife nine inches long. Meanwhile, Hammad Hussain is still being sought by the authorities in connection with the alleged murder.

Mr Bryan was stabbed five times - once to the left arm, once to the back and three times to the chest. One of those wounds went into the chest and out through the right armpit.

Mr Bhatia said his client, Saddam Hussain, had given a 'warts and all' account of himself from the witness box, including telling the panel about a previous conviction for possession of cannabis.

He had also told the jury he was not aware of what his brother or those associated with him were up to on the day of the stabbing. "He didn't have to give evidence. He's assisted you in every way he can" said Mr Bhatia.

The barrister told the panel that 'the theory' advanced by the prosecution was not supported by the facts and that the case against his client was based on 'entirely circumstantial evidence'.

He told the jury that the prosecution case had been that there had been 'a drugs turf war' and those accused of the murder and conspiracy to rob 'wanted to get rid of a rival drug dealer in Redditch'. However, he said Saddam Hussain had no significant previous convictions and the jury had already been invited to treat him as a man of good character.

The trial continues.

In magistrates court today is occupied largely with motoring offences including speeding, cases of uninsured drivers and those who have failed to provide details of a driver suspected of an offence.