A man has been charged over an attack in which two people were hurt and a dog was so badly injured it had to be put down.

Dean Pitts, 23, has been charged with four assaults, causing fear or provocation of violence, threats to commit criminal damage, causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and bike theft.

Mr Pitts, who is homeless but lives in the Epping area, is due to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court latter today (Monday, July 24).

The charges follow an incident in Thornwood High Road, near Epping, in the early hours of Thursday, July 20.

Police were called to reports, a woman aged 29 and a man aged 38, were assaulted at an address in the High Road, as well as a dog.

The suspect then threatened three people at the scene and also threatened to cause criminal damage. 

The dog was taken to a vet for treatment, but had to be put down due to the severity of its injuries.

Mr Pitts has also been accused of the theft of two bikes and the assault of their teenage owners after a separate incident in Harlow on Tuesday, July 18. 

He was arrested by officers in Churchfields, Harlow, at around 1am yesterday (Sunday, July 23).