Dangerous Rottweiler-cross attacked 5 people at pub causing 'ghastly' injuries

01 March 2024 , 20:05

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Thomas Skillen (Image: Media Wales)

An out-of-control dog attacked five people outside a pub causing "ghastly" injuries and its owner also bit a security guard.

The Rottweiler-cross bit people outside the Magpie and Stump in Towyn, Conwy, last September and Thomas Skillen admitted being in charge of a dog that was dangerously out of control. He also bit a security guard himself, and pleaded guilty to assault and affray.

At Mold Crown Court, he was today jailed for two and half years. His stepfather Ian Loftus, who also owned the dog, admitted being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control and was given a 14-month jail term, suspended for 18 months, while he must do 30 days of rehabilitation activity.

Prosecutor Matthew Kerruish-Jones said Skillen and Loftus took their dog Kylo to the pub, which is part of Palin's holiday park, on September 15. The dog was jumping on tables and the men and dog left, but then returned, shouting aggressively to members of staff over the fence.

the Magpie and Stump in Towyn, Conwy (Media Wales)

Skillen then fell over the fence, before he assaulted security guard James Roberts. The two men "grappled" on the floor, said Mr Kerruish-Jones. Loftus returned to the pub's beer garden with the dog but the dog was reacting "in a distressed manner to the ongoing scene" and bit Mr Roberts' arm.

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Then Mr Roberts, who had hold of Skillen, felt an "excruciating pain" in his left arm as Skillen himself bit it for "20 seconds". Mr Kerruish-Jones said: "Mr Roberts was afraid to pull his arm away in case it caused more serious injury." Members of the public asked Skillen to let go which he did. Mr Roberts was later treated with a Hepatitis B vaccine and a Tetanus booster. In a statement, he said he didn't go to work to be assaulted and injured.

In the incident outside the pub, Loftus had "commanded the dog to attack" people, the court heard. Stephen Axel Moore tried to intervene and tried to put the dog back in a vehicle but the dog bit Loftus and Mr Moore. Mr Moore sustained 11 bite marks, some causing "significant and ghastly" injuries, to his upper and lower arm, the court heard.

He was given antibiotics and other treatment at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd's A&E department but maintained it "wasn't the dog's fault". Skillen left the beer garden threatening to get his friends down while saying he would "put a price on their heads". The incident also led to two members of the public - Ceri Churchill and Benjamin Rogers - being bitten by Kylo, reported North Wales Live.

The dog had been placed in a vehicle but had jumped out of a window and bit Ms Churchill in the stomach. Police were called and Skillen told them people had been "goading" him. Loftus told officers he heard security had hit his stepson in the face. The dog had "gone daft" and he had tried to get it back into their vehicle.

Sarah Yates, defending, said Skillen has lost control of the animal completely. She said: "He may not have started the violence but his behaviour was unlawful and... what followed was just unmelted violence." He has a good work ethic and took to drink after his father died, while he is remorseful over what happened. Loftus, she also stated, used no unlawful violence and having been married for 25 years, he wants to return home from his period on remand in custody to look after his wife.

The judge His Honour Niclas Parry told Skillen he had had eight or nine pints and Loftus was also drunk. He said: "As a result of excessive alcohol consumption and utter disregard and respect for other people - including mothers and children - five people were injured.

"Two of them were simply carrying out their work trying to protect the public. (You) bit one of them in the arm." He left but returned and the scene "descended into a brawl". The judge jailed Skillen for a total of two and a half years. Loftus got a suspended sentence. The fate of the dog will be decided at a future hearing.

David Powell