A jealous thug kicked his girlfriend’s Chihuahua dog to death after he angrily accused her of putting her beloved pet first.
Aidan Swift became ‘livid’ and ‘irate’ before kicking the two-year-old dog, called Kiki, so viciously that she ‘died on the spot’, Hull Crown Court heard.
The sadistic bully also hit his girlfriend with a piece of wood in another confrontation and threatened to kill her during a frightening long-running campaign of controlling and vindictive behaviour.
Swift, 42, of Holmpton Road, Hollym, Holderness, admitted using controlling and coercive behaviour between January 2020 and September last year.
He also confessed to assaulting the woman, causing actual bodily harm, and making threats to kill her on May 13 last year, as well as causing unnecessary suffering to a dog on April 7.
The judge sentenced him to two-and-a-half years in jail and he was given a five-year restraining order.
Aidan Swift became ‘livid’ and ‘irate’ before kicking the two-year-old dog, called Kiki, so viciously that she ‘died on the spot’, Hull Crown Court heard
Matthew Moore-Taylor, prosecuting, said that the woman had been in a relationship with Swift and they moved in together in a village in Holderness.
She began to notice that Swift would become angry very easily and often punched and slammed doors and kicked items of clutter out of the way.
‘He was also belligerent, adopting an aggressive tone with her and invading her personal space during arguments,’ said Mr Moore-Taylor.
After lockdown, Swift began to work away from home and he would return at the weekend. He would spend most of his time out drinking with friends, a his behaviour at home deteriorated.
Mr Moore-Taylor said: ‘When he returned home, he would frequently behave aggressively and try to instigate an argument with her before apologising the next day.
‘He would often confiscate her phone to prevent her from contacting the police.’
She tried to break up with him, but he would send messages to her constantly until she took him back.
They moved to a larger house and his behaviour improved for a time, but this was short-lived, and he soon became aggressive and controlling again.
One evening, a friend was looking after the woman’s Chihuahua and texted to say the dog was unwell.
The woman left the house to collect the dog, but texted Swift, who was sleeping, to tell him where she was going.
She collected Kiki, but on the journey home she received a telephone call from Swift. ‘He was livid, swearing down the telephone, and questioning her about her whereabouts,’ said Mr Moore-Taylor.
‘When she arrived home, she was met in the hallway by the defendant, who was irate and accused her of prioritising Kiki over her family. He was working himself up and seemed to be repeating himself over and over again.’
The court heard how Swift would become angry very easily and often punched and slammed doors and kicked items of clutter out of the way (Facebook picture)
As the defendant was ranting, Kiki came near to his feet in the kitchen. He then screamed that there was nothing wrong with the dog, before kicking Kiki with extreme force.
The woman was distraught. She received multiple messages from Swift in which he tried to pretend that what happened to Kiki was partly her fault.
On another occasion, Swift swung a piece of wood at his girlfriend, hitting her on the back and twice on the back of her head, causing a large lump. He assaulted her and threatened to kill her.
She decided to end the relationship and tell the police what had been happening.
Swift was arrested on September 9 and answered ‘no comment’ to all questions during police interview. He had one previous unrelated conviction from 2012.
David Godfrey, mitigating, said that Swift made full and frank admissions about what he had done and he pleaded guilty at an early stage during a hearing before Hull Magistrates’ Court. This was unusual in cases such as this, said Mr Godfrey.
Swift had expressed regret and shame about his actions and, before being remanded in custody he had been seeking psychiatric help for his problems. He had the support of his family and he had a good work record.
Judge Mark Bury said that the woman was left ‘terrified’ by what Swift had done.
‘You assaulted her in her own home with a piece of wood and threatened to kill her,’ said Judge Bury.
Swift was jailed for two-and-a-half years and he was given a five-year restraining order at Hull Crown Court (pictured)
‘I don’t use that word very often but this is appalling behaviour.
‘Kiki was only a small dog, but you must have kicked it hard to kill it. I simply can’t bring myself to express my view about that.
‘You will appreciate that I have dogs myself. The way you treated her pet has left me no alternative but to impose a sentence of imprisonment. These offences are simply too serious to overlook.
‘There are many aspects of your personality that are positive. You are a hardworking man. You are well supported by family and friends. You are trying hard to work out your demons.’
Swift was jailed for two-and-a-half years and he was given a five-year restraining order. The sentence included a consecutive one year for the attack on Kiki.
Swift was banned from owning and/or keeping dogs for five years. He will not be able to apply for the ban to be lifted for at least three years.