A WIRRAL man described as "menacing" and "a danger to animals and the wider public" has been jailed for six months after hitting his eight-week-old puppy so hard that a chunk of her jaw was knocked out.

Lee Michael, of no fixed abode, was locked up today, two months after he failed to attend court for "fear of attack" from members of the public.

Wirral Globe:
"Babs" was left with a fractured jaw. She has since been re-named Ruby and re-homed.

District Judge Michael Abelson issued a warrant for the 34 year old's arrest following his failed appearance in July.

Michael had sent a letter to the court claiming incorrect information about the case has been reported - something the Judge said was not true - and claimed he was scared for his life after being targeted by vigilantes as a result.

He had been “off the grid” until earlier this week when information led the Met Police’s Kensington and Chelsea Pro-Active Team to a health and fitness centre in Notting Hill where Michael was working as a yoga instructor under the alias “Lee Alan”.

It is not the first time Michael has used a different name as in 2003 he was convicted of manslaughter of his two-year-old son under the name Lee Michael Khair.

He told the court he changed his name to Lee Michael by deed poll nine years ago.

Judge Abelson described his actions as “deceitful” and “manipulative” and said he did all he could to avoid being brought to justice.

Michael, previously of Lower Thingwall Lane, was sentenced to 24 weeks in prison, banned from keeping animals for life and ordered to pay £2,423 in costs to the RSPCA.

The conviction relates to two animals - a black and tan female pug puppy called "Babs" and a grey cat called "Larry."

He admitted “the infliction of blunt force trauma and physical violence” to Babs and failing to provide proper and necessary veterinary care for her fractured jaw and facial injuries.

He also admitted the “infliction of blunt force trauma and rough handling” of Lary, as well as “inappropriate and cruel treatment” of him and failing to provide proper and necessary veterinary care for his injuries.

Michael previously told the court the last few months had been a "rollercoaster" and had seen him lose his home and job.

The RSPCA was called in December last year after a vet became concerned by the young pug-cross puppy’s injuries.

The dog - now called Ruby - had a swollen eye and face and was huddled into a corner of a kennel withdrawn and shaking.

X-rays revealed that a piece of jaw the size of a five-pence piece was missing and there was a suspected fracture to her skull.

Police took the pup and placed her into the RSPCA’s care. She underwent surgery to screw her jaw back together, even though it was feared at first that she would never be able to eat again.

In a letter to the court, Michael said he had been lying in bed when the puppy had bitten his hand so he “swiped” the dog off the bed onto the floor.

But RSPCA Inspector Anthony Joynes, who investigated the case, said: “This was not just a hairline fracture - part of the puppy’s jaw was completely missing.

“The vet said that, in his opinion, it would have taken immense force to cause an injury of this type. Also, given the fact that the floor was carpeted, not hard flooring, and the height of the bed, the vet believed it was almost impossible for the dog to have sustained this sort of injury in those circumstances.”

Michael also pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a cat called Larry, resulting in his death.

Inspector Joynes said: “We have not found the body of Larry, however Michael admitted that he yanked the cat’s back end and tail so hard that he caused a fatal injury.”

Michael also admitted to "throwing" Larry into a cold shower after soiling itself hours before he died.

He told the court he had an “obsession” with animals and had at one time owned 12 animals at once. He asked the court to ban him from owning animals for life and apologised for “all of the negativity” he has caused.

Judge Abelson said he was "disturbed" by the things he had heard about Michael.

He said: “You understand why I believe you are an extremely menacing, manipulative and dangerous individual who is a danger not only to all animals which you have dealings with but the wider public which is evidenced by the death of your child.

“In the context of this case, you are one of the most dangerous men in relation to animals that I have come across.”

Judge Abelson said the facts of the case “echoed” those of his manslaughter conviction when he caused fatal swelling to his two-year-old son’s brain and bruising to his body.

Although limited to the sentence he could impose, Judge Abelson said he would be keeping a close eye on Michael and, on his release, would be asking for monthly reports on his whereabouts.

Inspector Joynes added: “I feel we have only revealed the tip of the iceberg of events and we will never know exactly what poor Larry the cat went through in its ordeal and final moments.

“However, I am proud that we have managed to save the puppy - now called Ruby, who is now getting the love, care and attention she deserves in a new home.”