A man spent five days in hospital after being attacked by two Staffordshire bull terriers - having already been punched in his eye by their owner, a court heard on Thursday.

It happened at Pwllheli and the victim had torn flesh on his calf, a district judge at Caernarfon was told. Permanently scarred Carl Studds described his ordeal as “one of the worst experiences of my life”

.Adam Pacey, 29, of High Street, Pwllheli, on benefit, admitted common assault and owning dangerously out of control dogs Rocko and Kia on July 1.

District judge Gerallt Jones said :”This is a serious incident involving serious injury and somebody who was hospitalised for five days.” A twelve weeks suspended jail term was imposed and Pacey must do 100 hours unpaid work.

The judge said the dogs, since re-homed, now showed no signs of aggression. But he made an order that they would be destroyed if they ever returned to Pacey’s possession. The defendant must pay £300 compensation and £315 costs.

Prosecutor Diane Williams said Pacey had claimed he thought Mr Studds was an intruder and hit him twice. The dogs attacked the victim as he tried to escape the violence.

The prosecution said Pacey had received a jail term in October for other matters.

Liz Jones, defending, said Pacey was “saddened” by what happened in July.

Pacey had been asleep in bed when he heard heavy footsteps and panicked. The dogs had been “in a state of excitement.” Pacey was described as of no fixed address.