A man said to be the first person to be charged with “dog theft” has denied the most serious charge of theft after a dog was stolen from him and a woman was left seriously injured.

Julian Mead, 40, is accused of taking a dog on October 1 after emergency services were called to Bells Lane in Cinderhill, Nottingham, shortly before 9.30pm, where a woman was found with serious injuries.

The defendant, of Welstead Avenue in Aspley, Nottingham, appeared at Nottingham Crown Court on Thursday charged with attempted murder, grievous bodily harm, possession of an offensive weapon, namely a hammer, and robbery.

He pleaded not guilty to all four charges.

The woman, aged in her 40s, was taken to hospital, but Nottinghamshire Police said her injuries were “not life-threatening” and the dog, a British bulldog called Winnie, was later reported missing from an adjacent property. .

Last month, police said Mead was charged with taking a dog to keep it away from a person in legal control, or “dog kidnapping,” and that this was the first such charge since the Dog Law went into effect. Pet Abduction (2024). August.

The crime carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, while theft is punishable by up to 14 years in prison.

Mead, wearing a gray prison sweatshirt, appeared in court via video link from HMP Nottingham and spoke only to confirm his name and make his pleas.

Judge Stuart Rafferty KC remanded the defendant in custody until his trial on March 24 at the same court.