‘Police dog puncher’ is too worried to attend court

A man accused of repeatedly punching a police dog was too anxious to attend court. Liban Yusuf, 28, is said to have repeatedly struck German Shepherd Ernie while resisting arrest on Almond Avenue, West Drayton on August 28 of last year. He also attacked PC Amaas Tanha in the incident, it is claimed. But his lawyer Bavita Dhanda told Willesden Magistrates Court that her client was unable to attend today because he is overcome with worry. She said: ‘He is…