Northwold showman Nathan Wellard in King’s Lynn court after dragging pet dog behind car

A showman wound up in court after a family argument led to him inadvertently dragging his trapped dog behind his vehicle.

Nathan Wellard, 54, of Thetford Road in Northwold, appeared at Lynn Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, where he was sentenced for four offences.

Wellard described the day of May 12 as “one of his worst” as the court heard that he had taken his two dogs on a walk, placing them in his car.

This was following an argument with his partner, with Wellard opting to stop off at a nearby pub for drinks on the way back.

Following this, he met with a nearby farmer, who offered him some of his homemade 85% alcohol.

He drank some in a coffee before returning home, where another argument took place.

He dragged his partner and a teenage boy out of the vehicle. The teen had been trying to get the dogs out of it.

When Wellard saw this, he “reversed at speed”, causing the boy to go “flying” to the floor.

The boy was unable to rescue one of the dogs from the incident. The lurcher, named Ruby, had its lead caught in the car door.

Wellard drove off, before noticing that Ruby was caught and being dragged behind the vehicle.

He stopped, and Ruby ran off into a nearby woodlands. During this time, the police were called.

During a previous hearing, Wellard previously admitted two counts of assault by beating, one of common assault, and causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.

The “hysterical” dog was eventually found. She taken to vets for treatment, and has since made a recovery.

Wellard’s partner said through a victim impact statement read out in court that the incident has resulted in her having to go to therapy.

She added that she “lives in fear” when Wellard decides to drink.

In mitigation, Kate D’Aloia told the court that Wellard “suffers from an allegeric reaction” when he drinks alcohol and has therefore stopped.

She added that the showman, who helps operate circus events in the area, is an “animal lover” who has lots of pets.

“This was an accident - he loves animals and they are like family to him,” Ms D’Aloia said.

“He did not realise that the lead was trapped in the car door.”

Wellard was handed a 26 week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months.

He was also given ten rehabilitation activity days to complete and must wear an alcohol monitoring tag for 120 days.

Wellard will also pay a £154 victim surcharge and £110 in court costs.