A BRACKNELL man has been spared jail after being found guilty of punching a police dog in the head.

Matthew Wilkie, of Liscombe, was convicted after he admitted to a range of other offences on Windmill Road, Bracknell on February 27, 2021.

These include:

  • Failing to stop a vehicle when required by a constable on Windmill Road, Bracknell
  • Taking a vehicle, namely a Vauxhall Corsa, without the owner’s consent
  • Driving without a licence
  • Driving without insurance

Having denied causing unnecessary suffering to an animal in the same incident in February 2021, the 44-year-old was found guilty of punching a police dog in the head following a trial at Reading Magistrates’ Court on March 28, 2022.

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Attending the same court on Wednesday, May 4, Wilkie was sentenced.

He was handed a community order, which requires him to take part in up to 19 days of rehabilitation activities.

Wilkie was told to pay a £95 victim surcharge and £300 in court costs.

As punishment for the driving offences, the Bracknell man was handed a six month driving ban.