A 22-year-old man banned from having a dog spent 15 weeks in prison after a Watford Borough Councillor caught him walking his girlfriend's pet.

Christopher Edwards was given an Asbo prohibiting him owning or “having control” of a dog after a conviction for assault in November last year.

However, councillor Nigel Bell saw Edwards with a “Staffordshire Terrier type dog” in a hallway of Benneck House in Tolpits Lane, Watford on Wednesday, July 1, and contacted police.

Edwards was arrested on August 10 and was recalled to prison from that date for 15 weeks.

Edwards, of Highlands, Watford pleaded guilty to having the animal in Tolpits Lane without reasonable excuse, at Watford Magistrates Court today.

Yasmeen Malik, prosecuting read out the witness statement Mr Bell gave to police after recognising Edwards.

Miss Malik said: “As a councillor he spends a lot of time in the area and therefore knows the defendant through work in the area.

“As Mr Bell walked past him he heard him say 'come on Colonel' as he entered the front door of Benneck House.”

Edwards told police he had owned a dog called Major, but the dog the councillor saw was his girlfriend's and he was taking him for a walk for her.

Catherine Dormon, defending, said the dog belonged to the mother of his two children, and he admitted taking it for a walk that morning.”

She added: “This is the first breach of the order. There was no suggestion there was any harassment, alarm or distress to the public.

“As a result of the arrest he was recalled to custody and has served the equivalent of a 30-week sentence due to his behaviour on July 1.”

The unemployed qualified plasterer suffered a family bereavement while in prison, the court heard, which he was coming to terms with.

Chairman of the bench Brian Marheineke fined Edwards £85 and ordered him to pay a total of £500 including costs.

He said: “You need to be aware a second breach and you will find yourself back in custody.”

“I know, it was a stupid mistake,” replied Edwards.

Mr Marheineke continued: “You are in a situation where you cannot afford to have anything to do with a dog at all.

“If you do you are going to put your liberty at risk.”