Dog mauled police officer and left him 'screaming in pain' as owner ran away
A man who fled as his out-of-control dog savagely attacked a police officer has been jailed.
Andre Willis, 32, of South Norwood, London, ran off when his Staffordshire bull terrier-type dog mauled PC Mark Moreland-Francis as he approached his car in Thwaite Road in Poole, Dorset. The incident took place on April 4, and the dog was later shot dead after days on the loose.
At Bournemouth Crown Court today, Willis was jailed for 22 months. He previously admitted an offence under the Dangerous Dogs Act, as well as driving while disqualified. He was also disqualified from driving for 55 months. Willis had previous convictions for drug dealing and assaulting a police constable. It comes after news a nursery teacher drowned her partner's four-year-old daughter in sickening attack.
Judge Jonathan Fuller KC told him: "This was an awful attack by a Staffordshire-type cross terrier, which are intimidating dogs and capable of causing even more serious harm. Anyone listening to the video of the officer screaming in pain and fear would recognise the seriousness of what that dog did and you allowed it to do."
On April 8 this year, Dorset Police responded to a concerned call at around 1pm and spent a number of hours attempting to safely capture the escaped dog. However, the decision was ultimately made to put it down using a firearm when their attempts failed.
A spokesperson for Dorset Police said: "Regrettably, having explored all other options, the dog was put down by officers due to the ongoing threat it posed to the public. The decision was made after exploring all other contingencies while balancing the safety to the public."
This comes after a dog was killed and its owner seriously injured in a park attack in Aberdeen which police are treating as an attempted murder. A 51-year-old man was taken to hospital following a 'disturbance' in Eric Hendrie Park on Sunday at about 8.30pm.
Officers were called to a report of a vehicle in the park and a disturbance taking place which resulted in the death of the victim's XL bully dog. The owner of the dog was taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, where medical staff said his condition was serious but stable.
A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: 'Inquiries are ongoing in the area to trace everyone involved.' The force said that the victim was not struck by a car.
Detective Sergeant Emma Low said: 'Our investigation is at an early stage to establish the exact circumstances surrounding this incident.
'Any witnesses or anyone with information is asked to contact officers through 101 quoting incident number 3236 of July 27. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111, where anonymity can be maintained.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Woman vanishes after getting Scots bus sparking urgent police appeal as ‘concerns grow for safety'
Police Scotland has released details of the woman's appearance FIND HER Woman vanishes after getting Scots bus sparking urgent police appeal as 'concerns grow for safety' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AN urgent hunt has been launched after a woman vanished from a bus station. Pauline Burke, 54, was last seen yesterday afternoon at the Galashiels Transport Interchange. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up Detectives are worried about her safety and are appealing for information on her whereabouts. Inspector Colin Deans said: 'Concerns are growing for Pauline's welfare and we need to make sure she is safe and well. 'Enquiries so far suggest she took a bus from Hawick to Galashiels. She may then have taken a train to Edinburgh and she also has connections in the Summerston area of Glasgow. 'We are asking anyone who has seen Pauline or knows where she might be to get in touch.' Pauline is around 5ft 2ins, of medium build with short, greying hair. She was last spotted wearing black trousers, a black body warmer and black Nike trainers. She also has reading glasses. Anyone with information is being urged to contact cops on the non-emergency 101 number. A Police Scotland spokesperson added: "Officers are asking for the help of the public to trace a 52-year-old woman reported missing from Hawick in the Scottish Borders. "Pauline Burke was last seen around 3.50pm on Tuesday, 5 August, at Galashiels Transport Interchange." Elsewhere a man has been arrested and charged after another was left seriously injured at a Scots caravan park. Emergency services raced to Whitecairn Caravan Park, Glenluce, Wigtownshire, after the alarm was raised last night. Police Scotland said a 35-year-old man was rushed to hospital for treatment after sustaining injuries. The force said there had been a disturbance involving a 38-year-old man who allegedly pulled a knife on officers. A force spokesperson said: "Around 1.30am on Wednesday, August 6, police were called to a report that a man had been found seriously injured in Whitecairn Caravan Park, Glenluce, Wigtownshire.
Glasgow Times
2 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Concerns grow for missing woman with links to Glasgow
Pauline Burke was last seen at around 3.50pm on Tuesday, August 5, at the Galashiels Transport Interchange in the Scottish Borders. Police say the 52-year-old, from Hawick, has connections to the Summerston area of North Glasgow. Pauline is described as around 5ft 2ins, of medium build, with short, greying hair. When she was last seen, she was wearing black trousers, a black body warmer and black Nike trainers. She also has reading glasses. READ NEXT: Titan disaster which killed Glasgow student 'was preventable', says US Coast Guard Inspector Colin Deans said: 'Concerns are growing for Pauline's welfare, and we need to make sure she is safe and well. 'Enquiries so far suggest she took a bus from Hawick to Galashiels. She may then have taken a train to Edinburgh, and she also has connections in the Summerston area of Glasgow. 'We are asking anyone who has seen Pauline or knows where she might be to get in touch.' Anyone with any information is urged to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 3292 of Tuesday, August 5, 2025.
ITV News
3 hours ago
- ITV News
Man to deny murder of Saudi Arabian student Mohammed Algasim in Cambridge
A 21-year-old man charged with murdering a Saudi Arabian student who was stabbed in the neck intends to deny the charge, a court heard. Mohammed Algasim, 20, died in Mill Park, a street near the city's main train station, in the early hours of Saturday, in what police had previously called an "unprovoked attack". Chas Corrigan, from Holbrook Road in Cambridge, appeared at Cambridge Crown Court on Wednesday charged with murder, and possession of a knife in a public place. Gavin Burrell, prosecuting, told the court that Mr Algasim was slashed across the neck and bled to death at the scene. Mr Algasim had been on a 10-week placement studying English in Cambridge when he was attacked. A plea hearing was scheduled for 8 September, with a provisional trial date set for 9 February next year. Shahnawaz Khan, defending, told the court Corrigan intended to plead not guilty to murdering Mr Algasim and that he would argue self-defence. In a statement issued through police, Mr Algasim's family said he was a 'young man brimming with enthusiasm, brimming with chivalry and courage'. They added: 'He was cheerful, chivalrous, pure of heart, quick to give, and passionate about others.' EF International Language Campuses Cambridge, a private school offering English language courses to overseas students, previously said it was 'deeply saddened' to confirm one of its adult students had died. A message, on a piece of paper taped to a barrier behind the floral tributes in Mill Park, said 'may your soul be at peace' and had heart shapes drawn on it. It also said 'inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un', which is an Arabic phrase meaning 'to God we belong and to Him we return'.
