A man who used his dog as a weapon to attack a delivery driver has been jailed.

Terry Burns, 43, was drunk at the time of the assault at lunchtime on February 13, Canterbury Crown Court was told by Matthew Bolt, prosecuting.

Burns, of Jesuit Close, Canterbury, had taken his Staffordshire bull terrier Marley out for a walk along Herne Bay seafront when he saw a delivery van driver in Bank Street, which is one way.

“The driver reversed and Burns took exception to this and began shouting that he was reversing in the wrong direction,” Mr Bolt said.

“The driver got out of his van and Burns punched him and told his dog to get him. The dog bit the driver through his coat, jumper and shirt and latched onto his stomach.”

The driver managed to get back into his vehicle but Burns picked up his dog, threw it into the van and carried on the assault.

Mr Bolt said: “This was a sustained attack on his victim with both Marley and his fists.”

Burns admitted assaulting the driver.

The court was told he had previous convictions for affray, assault, having a bladed article, threatening behaviour, being drunk and disorderly, assaulting policemen, having an offensive weapon and robbery.

Dominic Webber, defending, said Burns suffered from depression after losing his partner in a car crash and had got his dog to help him.

“He accepts there is no excuse for this as it is a serious matter,” Mr Webber said, adding that Burns had found it hard to get a job because of his depression. He was also a binge drinker.

Judge Simon James jailed Burns for 18 months, telling him: “This was a very serious assault and you have numerous previous convictions for violence. You unleashed your dog and used this trained animal as a weapon.”

Judge James said Burns was completely unsuited to owning a dog and he made an order banning him from owning or having a dog in public until further notice. Marley will be rehomed.