A 29-year-old man who attacked a couple with a dog lead in the street in broad daylight has been spared an immediate jail term.

Judge Huw Rees described what happened as “unbelievable” and gave Simon Shaw of Maes Canol, Abergele, a 28-week prison sentence, suspended for a year.

“You need to control yourself so far as the use of cannabis is concerned,” Judge Rees advised him at Caernarfon Crown Court.

A restraining order bans him for two years from contacting his victims, Patrick and Claire McKillen of Pensarn.

Shaw pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm, common assault and possessing an offensive weapon, a dog lead, in March.

He must carry out 120 hours’ unpaid work, attend 20 days rehabilitation and he is subject to a nine-month drug requirement.

Ffion Tomos, prosecuting, said the attack happened in an alleyway off Queensway in Abergele when the man and wife were walking towards the town centre. Shaw, walking his dog, became aggressive apparently about a debt of £10.

Mr McKillen was struck then his wife was hit, falling to the floor and sustaining cuts and bruises to her face, including an abrasion to an eye socket.

Because of his thick clothing, Mr McKillen had not been injured, but his 38-year-old wife had fallen to the floor where the lead was used to strike her on the left of the face.