Knife-wielding Doncaster thug threatened to kill woman's pet dog

A knife-wielding thug has been given a suspended prison sentence after he threatened to kill a woman’s dog.
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Sheffield Crown Court heard on April 28 how David Porthouse, aged 45, of Avenue Road, Wheatley, Doncaster, made a chilling “dead or alive” threat when he visited the home of the pet owner in Doncaster.

Louise Gallagher, prosecuting, told the court Porthouse had previously been stabbed outside the woman’s home by two males and he visited the complainant demanding to know who his attackers were but the woman was not connected with the attack.

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Miss Gallagher said: “The defendant came uninvited and he spoke to her and he had been drinking and his conversation jumped around and his behaviour was erratic.”

A knife-wielding thug is given a suspended prison sentence at Sheffield Crown Court, pictured, after he threatened to kill a woman's pet dog.A knife-wielding thug is given a suspended prison sentence at Sheffield Crown Court, pictured, after he threatened to kill a woman's pet dog.
A knife-wielding thug is given a suspended prison sentence at Sheffield Crown Court, pictured, after he threatened to kill a woman's pet dog.

Porthouse asked the woman - who is a friend of a former partner of the defendant’s - for the names of those who had attacked him, according to Ms Gallagher, but she said she did not know.

Miss Gallagher said Porthouse took the woman’s dog but told her she could have the pet back “dead or alive” depending on whether she gave him the names.

Miss Gallagher added: “He took a knife from the complainant's kitchen and he lunged towards her within half-a-metre from her face repeating, ‘dead or alive, it’s your choice’, and he put the knife to the dog’s neck.

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“The complainant was very scared and she was unsure if he would harm her or the dog.”

Porthouse left the property with the dog, according to Miss Gallagher, before he contacted the police and he was arrested at his home and the dog was recovered.

The defendant, who has previous convictions, pleaded guilty to affray after the incident on July 25.

Edward Moss, defending, said Porthouse has had a troubled childhood and as a former soldier he has suffered with post-traumatic stress disorder.

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Judge Michael Slater told Porthouse: “This was a drunken episode which must have been very distressing to your acquaintance, the complainant, involving threats to her and the well-being of her dog.”

Porthouse was sentenced to nine-months of custody suspended for 18 months with a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement and an Alcohol Treatment Requirement. He was also given a five-year restraining order.