Daren John Anthony Sherwood sentenced in Tamworth court for animal cruelty to dog, among other charges

Daren John Anthony Sherwood's sentence takes into account a string of 13 charges across two separate matters.

The 20-year-old fronted Tamworth Local Court earlier this month when he was handed a total sentence of 12 months in prison with seven months non-parole.

He will be eligible for release in September this year.

Sherwood had pleaded guilty to committing an act of cruelty upon an animal, and using offensive language in public, after police were called to a townhouse on Robert Street in South Tamworth late last year.

Police suspected an outburst was sparked when Sherwood's white mixed breed dog went inside his home with muddy paws, on the morning of November 24.

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A set of police facts show Sherwood was heard by neighbours yelling and swearing before they spotted him on his back patio "punching" his dog while it was "yelping loudly".

Sherwood went inside before emerging with a metal mop handle and beating the dog so hard that it broke, police said.

The dog managed to escape and run into a neighbouring yard but Sherwood gave chase, caught it and continued to beat the dog with his hands.

Sherwood noticed his neighbours watching and began to abuse them before police arrived after multiple calls for help.

Police arrested Sherwood after claiming he became abusive, continued to swear, and didn't listen to police directions.

Aboriginal Legal Service defence solicitor Bridget Dawson made sentencing submissions about difficulties Sherwood had faced.

Magistrate Kirralee Perry found special circumstances had been made out in his matters.

Sherwood was also sentenced for a separate matter involving fraud, theft and damaging property.

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