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 ‘nice’ and ‘angry’ before kicking the two-year-old dog, called Kiki, so viciously that she ‘died on the spot’, Hull Crown Court heard.
The sadistic thug also hit his girlfriend with a piece of wood in another confrontation and threatened to kill her during a terrifyingly prolonged campaign of controlling and vindictive behaviour.
Swift, 42, of Holmpton Road, Hollym, Holderness, admitted using controlling and coercive behavior between January 2020 and September last year.
He also admitted 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 prison, and he was given five years of probation.
Aidan Swift became ‘enraged’ and ‘enraged’ 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 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 get angry very easily and would often punch and slam doors and kick messes out of the way.
“He was also belligerent, adopting an aggressive tone towards her and invading her personal space during arguments,” Mr Moore-Taylor said.
After the lockdown, Swift started working from home and would return at the weekend. He spent most of his time drinking with friends and his behavior at home worsened.
Moore-Taylor said: ‘When he returned home he would often behave aggressively and try to instigate an argument with her before apologizing the next day.
‘He would often confiscate her phone to prevent her contacting the police.’
She tried to break up with him but he messaged her constantly until she took him back.
They moved to a bigger house and his behavior improved for a while, but it was short lived and he quickly became aggressive and controlling again.
One evening, a friend was babysitting the woman’s Chihuahua and texted to say the dog was unwell.
The woman left the house to get the dog, but texted Swift, who was sleeping, to tell him where she was going.
She collected Kiki, but on the way home she got a phone call from Swift. “He was angry, swore down the phone and asked her where she was,” Mr Moore-Taylor said.
‘When she got home, she was met in the hallway by the defendant, who was angry and accused her of prioritizing Kiki over her family. He worked his way up and seemed to repeat himself over and over.’
The court heard how Swift would get angry very easily and would often punch and slam doors and kick messes out of the way (Facebook image)
As the defendant shouted, Kiki came near 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 in despair. She received several messages from Swift in which he tried to pretend that what happened to Kiki was partially her fault.
On another occasion, Swift swung a piece of wood at his girlfriend, hitting her in the back and twice in the back of the 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 happened.
Swift was arrested on September 9 and answered “no comment” to all questions during police questioning. He had a previous unrelated conviction from 2012.
David Godfrey, mitigating, said Swift made full and honest admissions about what he had done and he pleaded guilty at an early stage during a hearing at Hull Magistrates’ Court. This was unusual in cases like this, Mr Godfrey said.
Swift had expressed remorse and shame for his actions and before being remanded in custody had sought psychiatric help for his problems. He had the support of his family and he had a good job.
Judge Mark Bury said the woman was left ‘horrified’ by what Swift had done.
“You assaulted her in her own home with a piece of wood and threatened to kill her,” Judge Bury said.
Swift was jailed for two-and-a-half years and given a five-year restraining order at Hull Crown Court (pictured)
‘I don’t use that word very often, but it’s appalling behaviour.
‘Kiki was only a little dog, but you must have kicked it hard to kill it. I just can’t bring myself to express my opinion on it.
‘You will appreciate that I myself have dogs. The way you treated her pet has left me with no alternative but to impose a prison sentence. These offenses are simply too serious to ignore.
‘There are many aspects of your personality that are positive. You are a hard working man. You are well supported by family and friends. You are trying hard to train your demons.’
Swift was jailed for two-and-a-half years and given a five-year restraining order. The sentence included a consecutive 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.