Man jailed for string of violent offences including punching a pet dog

Finlay Hoy has been handed a 20-week prison sentence following a series of incidents across Telford including assaults on emergency workers and animal cruelty.

The 24-year-old, of no fixed abode, appeared at Telford Magistrates’ Court on 4 February after pleading guilty to a significant number of charges dating back to April last year.

The court heard that in January, Hoy assaulted three police officers and used threatening behaviour toward a fourth. One of these assaults resulted in a 12-week sentence to run alongside other terms.

His list of offences also included a course of conduct that put a man in fear of violence and an incident where he pushed and punched a pet dog.

Magistrates noted his flagrant disregard for people and their property when deciding on an immediate custodial sentence.

Hoy was also sentenced for racially aggravated harassment and multiple counts of cannabis possession.

No compensation was ordered by the court, which prioritised the jail term due to the high number of offences committed over a lengthy period.