A MAN who threw his Staffordshire bull terrier up in the air and kicked her in a Crewe street has been banned from keeping animals for five years.

Jordan Odom picked the dog, called Angel, up its scruff and then threw her up in the air, before calling the animal back where he repeated the process twice more and kicked her, South Cheshire Magistrates' Court was told.

Odom's cruel actions on Walthall Street were spotted by eye witness Ellen Kirkham, who was walking her own dog at the time.

The RSPCA was called to investigate after Cheshire Police received reports of the dog being beaten on July 2 last year.

Vets found Angel had suffered scleral haemorrhages to her eye, consistent with head trauma, and a blood test showed levels of enzymes that are released when muscles are traumatised.

After denying two animal cruelty charges at an initial hearing in December last year Odom failed to appear in court for a trial on March 19 and was found guilty in his absence with a warrant issued for his arrest.

The 24-year-old, formerly of Crewe, but now living at The Lloyds Hotel in Brook Street, Chester, was convicted of a charge of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and also using harsh, potentially painful or frightening disciplinary, training or control measures on the dog.

He appeared at the Crewe court on May 5 where he was handed an 18-month community order with a requirements to complete 20 rehabilitation days and 140 hours of unpaid work.

He was disqualified from keeping all animals for five years, with no appeal for three years, and ordered to pay costs of £2,400 and a victim surcharge of £95.

Angel is being cared for by vets and will be rehomed as the magistrates made a deprivation orde at the March hearing.

RSPCA inspector Leanne Cragg, who investigated the case, said: "Aggressive behaviour towards animals is never acceptable and I'm glad that Angel can now be found a loving new home.

"I am extremely grateful to the witness for their bravery in coming forward and reporting this to us, it's only because of them that we were able to help Angel."