Man whose Japanese Akita dog mauled woman's face in South Shields deemed 'too drunk' to be sentenced in court

Scott Sehman has previously been warned he could be jailed after the Japanese Akita he was in charge of on August 26 last year attacked the victim at a house in South Shields.The 32-year-old was due to learn his fate today at Newcastle Crown Court, but was not in the building when his case was called on by officials, as he had been refused entry by security staff due to his state.Around an hour-and-a-half later, Sehman was allowed inside the building to attend the hearing but was still too drunk for the case to go ahead.

Judge Simon Batiste remanded him in custody over night and will sentence him on Wednesday.Sehman, who appeared unsteady on his feet, kept talking during the short hearing and was indicating that he had a sore finger, said "that's shocking that" as he was led away by guards.His barrister Jane Foley told the court: "He was refused entry into the building due to his level of intoxication."It is quite clear the defendant is in an intoxicated state."Miss Foley said Sehman "did not wish" to remanded in custody overnight but that she had explained to him it was the likely outcome.Judge Batiste said the case will be back in court tomorrow but Sehman must stay in custody in the meantime.The judge said: "It would be unfair for me to move on to sentence today when he is in that state."He needs to understand fully the proceedings and what has happened."I will sentence him tomorrow and remand him in custody over night."Judge Batiste told Sehman: "I am not going to sentence you today, you are not sober enough to do so."Sehman, 32, of no fixed abode, had pleaded guilty to being in charge of a dog which caused injury while dangerously out of control at an earlier hearing.