Builder jailed for killing dog launched 'revenge attack' on friend who shunned him after attack
A builder who kicked his dog to death took revenge on a friend who shunned him by smashing his BMW windscreen and setting fire to his shed.
Matthew Benjamin, 39, was jailed for 22 months after damaging the property of close friend Lee Miller.
The former pals fell out after Benjamin killed pet staffordshire bull terrier Diesel in a drunken rage, a court heard.
The killing outraged animal-loving Mr Miller, who refused to speak to Benjamin again.
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Prosecutor Emma Harris said neighbours spotted a blaze at Mr Miller’s shed.
Builder Benjamin was stopped in his car nearby and arrested for burglary and arson.
He was breathalysed and found to be more than twice the drink driving limit.
Benjamin, of Shirenewton, near Chepstow, Gwent, admitted arson, burglary, criminal damage, drink driving and driving while disqualified.
Karl Williams, defending, said his client claimed the fire had been accidental: "The defendant said, ‘I dropped a fag butt. When I left the shed, it wasn’t on fire.’”
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Benjamin used to run a successful building firm employing 20 people a day but was declared bankrupt in 2018 and abusing alcohol.
Mr Williams said: "The defendant was drinking between 10 and 15 pints a day.
“He was working seven days a week between 6am and 7am.”
Mr Williams told the court one of Benjamin's former girlfriends had been murdered by her partner in 2017 who killed himself.
Judge Lloyd-Clarke told the defendant: “It was a revenge attack on your own admission.
“The premises and victim were deliberately targeted.”
She jailed Benjamin for 22 months.
He was banned from driving for three years and 11 months and told he would have to pass an extended test.
He was also ordered to pay Mr Miller compensation.
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Benjamin was jailed for 17 weeks in December 2019 for attacking pet dog Diesel which was witnessed by his housemate.
The witness told the court Benjamin was shouting at the pet after it urinated on the floor.
He said: "I heard Diesel scream and yelp. The dog seemed to be in extreme distress and pain.
"I could hear the dog being beaten repeatedly.”
"Matthew said, ‘This thing is going to die.’ I think he must have kicked the dog over 100 times.
"He was a lovely dog who was brutally killed for no reason.”
