LEWIS GIBSON FROM PARKSTONE SENTENCED AFTER BRUTAL DOG KICK IN BOURNEMOUTH

Lewis Gibson, a known offender from Parkstone, was convicted of a disturbing animal cruelty incident that took place in Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset. Born around 1981, Gibson’s last known address was Worbarrow Gardens, Poole BH12, but by June 2019, he was reported to have no fixed abode. The incident, which drew significant public and police attention, involved Gibson violently kicking a puppy into the air during a heated argument with his girlfriend.

On the evening of June 29, 2017, a tumultuous dispute erupted between Gibson and his partner, Nicola Moody, in the street. The couple had been together for three years, but their relationship was described as turbulent. Witnesses reported that the argument escalated quickly, with Gibson shouting at and shoving Miss Moody. During the altercation, a friend of Miss Moody, Anna Taylor, approached with her dog, Frankie, a six-month-old Staffordshire bull terrier puppy, in an attempt to de-escalate the situation.

However, Gibson’s temper flared further. Witnesses, including an off-duty police officer, observed Gibson walking aggressively toward Miss Moody. PC Scott Norman, who was staying nearby, recounted that Gibson approached her in a very threatening manner. Norman described how Miss Moody tried to keep Gibson at a distance by raising her hand, but Gibson slapped her hand away and then shoved her, causing her to step back several paces. Norman noted that Miss Moody appeared visibly frightened, which he could tell from her voice and demeanor.

While Norman was retrieving his phone to call the police, the attack on the dog occurred. Witnesses, such as Robert Barabas and cyclist Satpal Sandhu, provided detailed accounts of the incident. Barabas saw Gibson kick Frankie from behind, striking him in the ribs. The force of the kick launched the puppy approximately half a meter into the air, eliciting a yelp of pain. Sandhu added that the dog, which was on a leash, was turned to face Gibson when he was kicked, and it visibly went up about a meter before yelping again. The dog was not barking at the time but was clearly distressed.

Following the attack, a police officer visited Miss Moody’s flat and found Frankie cowering in a corner, curled up and visibly shaken, though he had not sustained any physical injuries. The incident was witnessed by three members of the public, including the off-duty officer, who all confirmed the events.

Gibson later claimed that he kicked the dog because he believed it was about to attack him. He also asserted that he shoved Miss Moody in self-defense. Despite his claims, he was charged with assaulting Miss Moody and causing unnecessary suffering to an animal. Gibson did not attend his court trial, but magistrates in Poole considered witness statements and found him guilty in his absence. The court noted that the evidence was consistent and sufficient to establish guilt.

As a result, a warrant was issued for Gibson’s arrest, and he was subsequently sentenced on October 12, 2017. The court sentenced him to a community order, which included participation in a 42-day accredited program called the Building Better Relationships Programme, a maximum of 20 days of Rehabilitation Activity Requirement, and 80 hours of unpaid work within 12 months. Additionally, Gibson was ordered to pay an £85 victim surcharge and £100 in court costs.

Further legal actions followed, and by June 2019, Gibson, who was then said to be of no fixed address, received a substantial prison sentence. He was sentenced to two years and four months after pleading guilty to five counts of burglary, with an additional 11 burglary offenses taken into consideration. He was also convicted of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and possession of an offensive weapon related to a separate incident on Wimborne Road in Bournemouth on September 19, 2017. Gibson’s criminal record includes multiple theft and assault offenses, reflecting a pattern of persistent criminal behavior in the Dorset area.