A DOG was thrown at two men and bit one of the victims’ testicles in a “barbaric” attack outside a Jericho restaurant, a court heard yesterday.

The Staffordshire bull terrier was pulled up by the collar on to its hind legs by Stephen Baker and then launched at two men who had been enjoying an evening with friends at Pierre Victoire in Little Clarendon Street.

Baker, 32, of no fixed abode, was sentenced to 38 months in prison at Oxford Crown Court, while the dog’s owner Tom East, 23, was given a 12-month sentence for his part in the attack.

Prosecutor John Law said the victims Felix Johnson and Henry Johnson had been standing outside the restaurant with their friend Christopher Boston on August 24 at about 9pm when East’s girlfriend tried to steal a cigarette from Mr Boston’s mouth.

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He grabbed her arm to stop her but East, also of no fixed abode, accused him of hitting the woman and punched him to the ground.

Henry and Felix Johnson tried to calm the situation but were each attacked by Baker and the dog.

Baker also grabbed Felix Johnson by the throat, kneed him in the ribs eight times and punched him in the face four times.

A member of the public tried to help them but was also attacked.

Foreign language teacher Henry Johnson, who was also punched in the face by Baker and left with scars and bruises, called it a “barbaric and unnecessary attack” in a statement read out in court.

Stuart Matthews, defending Baker, said he had no memory of the incident and wanted to turn his life around, while East’s representative Jane Malcolm said he had not wanted his dog to be used in the attack.

Baker pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm, two counts of common assault, resisting arrest and controlling a dangerous dog in a public place.

East pleaded guilty to three counts of common assault and to owning a dangerous dog.

 

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