Man accused of punching dog and brandishing gun

A MAN allegedly punched a Husky-type dog in the face and brandished a gun as part of a feud between two families, a court has heard.

Colin Leighton (54) was also accused at Belfast Magistrates Court of threatening to kill two men in Newtownabbey, Co Antrim. Leighton, of Abbey Green in Monkstown, is charged with two counts of threats to kill, possession of a handgun with intent to cause fear of violence, and having two batons as offensive weapons.

He is also accused of possessing more than 700 diazepam tablets with intent to supply and causing unnecessary suffering to a dog. The alleged offences are linked to reports that a man approached a house in Renagh Park on Sunday, threatened the occupants and made off. A pistol was said to have been produced.

Opposing bail, a detective constable claimed two men were targeted within a matter of minutes.

The detective claimed Leighton had “punched the dog in the face” as he tried to get in through a back gate at one victim’s house. The officer added: “This is ongoing tensions between these two families that have got to a stage where they are out of hand.”

Defence solicitor Gavin Graham rejected the police version of events. He said: “There were no physical injuries to either complainant and no independent evidence.”

Leighton was remanded in custody to appear again by video-link on April 9.