Man pleads not guilty to attempted murder and burglary charges

An individual, identified as the first person to face a “dognapping” charge, has entered not guilty pleas to attempted murder and burglary following an incident in which a woman sustained severe injuries and a dog was taken. On 1 October, emergency services responded to a call at Bells Lane in Cinderhill, Nottingham, where a woman was discovered with serious injuries. Subsequently, a British bulldog named Winnie was reported missing from a property in the vicinity. Julian Mead, aged 40, was subsequently apprehended. Nottinghamshire Police stated that he was the initial individual in the UK to be charged with “dognapping.” Nevertheless, by the time of his appearance at Nottingham Crown Court on Thursday, the “dognapping” charge had been amended to burglary. Mr. Mead additionally entered not guilty pleas to charges of attempted murder, grievous bodily harm, and possession of an offensive weapon, specifically identified as a hammer. The injured woman, who is in her 40s, received hospital treatment; however, law enforcement officials confirmed her injuries were “not life-threatening.” The act of taking a dog to unlawfully withhold it from its rightful owner, commonly referred to as “dognapping,” was established as an offence with the implementation of the Pet Abduction Act (2024) in August. The “dognapping” offence carries a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment, whereas burglary can result in a sentence of up to 14 years in custody. Mr. Mead, dressed in a prison-issue grey sweatshirt, participated in the court proceedings remotely via video-link from HMP Nottingham, speaking solely to verify his identity and submit his pleas. Judge Stuart Rafferty KC ordered Mr. Mead, whose address is Welstead Avenue in Aspley, Nottingham, to remain in custody until his trial, scheduled for 24 March at the same court.