A DIPLOMAT'S son has escaped jail for kicking and punching a puppy more than 20 times — despite being caught on camera.
Mohammed Abou-Sabaa, 21, carried out the sickening attack on his golden labrador Poppy after being rejected for a job.
The son of a Tunisian government official punched and kicked the five-month-old pup before straddling the terrified animal and yanking it up by its neck.
The thug then slapped the dog across the face and used his knee to kick her down a flight of stairs.
At one point during the six-minute attack, the Manchester Metropolitan University student also stood on Poppy's neck with his full weight.
Abou-Sabaa attacked the animal in the stairwell to his flat in Manchester city centre.
He was prosecuted by the RSPCA after the building caretaker spotted the July assault on security cameras and reported him.
In care of the RSPCA ... Poppy
M.E.N.
When animal welfare investigators interviewed him, Abou-Sabaa said he was "having a bad day" and claimed he was trying to train the dog. But David McCormick, prosecuting for the RSPCA, said it was a sustained and brutal attack — a "wanton and deliberate act of cruelty".
RSPCA inspector Paul Heaton said: "It was a despicable act. I was incensed when I saw the video."
Manchester Magistrates' Court were visibly shocked by the attack when they watched it today in court, but failed to send Abou-Sabaa to jail.
He pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a dog and was handed a six-week sentence, suspended for two years.
Magistrates also ordered him to do 250 hours of unpaid work and banned him from keeping animals for four years.
Abou-Sabaa, who is studying mechatronics — a combination of engineering elements — was ordered to pay costs totalling £1,000.
Jane Dyson, chairwoman of the bench, said Abou-Sabaa had only just avoided an immediate custodial sentence.
She said: "None of us have seen anything like it — you have just avoided prison."
Abou-Sabaa refused to comment, but his father, who did not give his name, said: "I have had words with my son and my family and I want to apologise for what he did."
The court made an order signing Poppy over to the care of the RSPCA, who are looking for new owners for the dog.
Mr Heaton said: "Poppy is fine now. She is doing OK. There are a couple of people interested in fostering her."
Mohammed Abou-Sabaa, 21, carried out the sickening attack on his golden labrador Poppy after being rejected for a job.
The son of a Tunisian government official punched and kicked the five-month-old pup before straddling the terrified animal and yanking it up by its neck.
The thug then slapped the dog across the face and used his knee to kick her down a flight of stairs.
At one point during the six-minute attack, the Manchester Metropolitan University student also stood on Poppy's neck with his full weight.
Abou-Sabaa attacked the animal in the stairwell to his flat in Manchester city centre.
He was prosecuted by the RSPCA after the building caretaker spotted the July assault on security cameras and reported him.
M.E.N.
When animal welfare investigators interviewed him, Abou-Sabaa said he was "having a bad day" and claimed he was trying to train the dog. But David McCormick, prosecuting for the RSPCA, said it was a sustained and brutal attack — a "wanton and deliberate act of cruelty".
RSPCA inspector Paul Heaton said: "It was a despicable act. I was incensed when I saw the video."
Manchester Magistrates' Court were visibly shocked by the attack when they watched it today in court, but failed to send Abou-Sabaa to jail.
He pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a dog and was handed a six-week sentence, suspended for two years.
Magistrates also ordered him to do 250 hours of unpaid work and banned him from keeping animals for four years.
Abou-Sabaa, who is studying mechatronics — a combination of engineering elements — was ordered to pay costs totalling £1,000.
Jane Dyson, chairwoman of the bench, said Abou-Sabaa had only just avoided an immediate custodial sentence.
She said: "None of us have seen anything like it — you have just avoided prison."
Abou-Sabaa refused to comment, but his father, who did not give his name, said: "I have had words with my son and my family and I want to apologise for what he did."
The court made an order signing Poppy over to the care of the RSPCA, who are looking for new owners for the dog.
Mr Heaton said: "Poppy is fine now. She is doing OK. There are a couple of people interested in fostering her."
