Pitbull owner guilty after five PCs hurt
Symieon Robinson-Pierre, 25, was found guilty of three charges connected with the injuries suffered by PCs Paul Garrard, Lee Bush and Steve Bones under the Dangerous Dogs Act during a hearing at London Crown Court.
Police fled when the dog attacked them as they attempted to raid Robinson-Pierre’s home in Albert Square, Newham, on March 22.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThe court previously heard that locals stood and filmed the scene on their mobile phones. The dog was shot four times by a police officer after five officers failed to subdue it.
A jury of seven men and five women reached a unanimous verdict, finding Robinson-Pierre guilty on all three charges.
He was previously cleared of a fourth when it was ruled the attack on PC Marc Merritt took place in the garden of Robinson-Pierre’s home, which is a not a public place. An attack by the animal on a fifth policeman, PC Martin Corderoy, took place in the garden and was not the subject of a charge.
Robinson-Pierre also admitted a charge of owning a fighting dog. He was remanded in custody for sentencing.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdProsecution lawyers compared the bloody scene to the Battle of Trafalgar.
Robinson-Pierre’s barrister Craig Harris asked the jury to consider whether the dog was “dangerously out of control” or focusing “targeted aggression”.