A MAN was left with two fractured vertebrae after a teenager smashed into his home with rocks and chased him with kitchen knives in a row over a dog.

Rhys Sherwood was described as looking possessed during a shocking ordeal to get a dog back, a court heard.

The 19-year-old had previously given a German Shepherd to a teenage girl.

However, Sherwood, of Canada Road, Southampton later decided he “wanted the dog back”.

He went to her house in Sholing and took the dog claiming he was going for a walk but did not return.

The girl’s mother went looking for him and on finding him “there was a tussle”.

Sherwood swung his fist hitting her to the side of the head.

Prosecution barrister, Tim Moores, told how he then punched her to the shoulder knocking her to the ground.

He grabbed the dog and ran off.

Sherwood then went back to the girl’s house where the mother’s partner was inside and began shouting and yelling abuse.

The prosecution says he used rocks to smash a kitchen window which he climbed through.

Having just got out of the shower, his victim started retreating up the stairs and admitted he kicked out at Sherwood which “seemed to have made contact with his head”.

The teen went into the kitchen and picked up two knives.

His victim locked himself in a bedroom and jumped out of a window landing awkwardly.

He was later rushed to hospital and treated for two fractured vertebrae.

Appearing before Southampton Crown Court, Sherwood was charged with assault by beating and grievous bodily harm without intent.

He previously pleaded guilty to the offences which happened on July 25 last year.

Defending, Richard Tutt said his client’s behaviour had been out of character and that he felt both guilty and ashamed of his actions.

He said that Sherwood suffers from ADHD and had been taking Valium - although not prescribed - at the time.

Mr Recorder Mathew Turner gave him an 18-month sentence at a young offender institute, suspended for 18 months and an exclusion order.

He must complete 60 days of rehabilitation activities and 100 hours of unpaid work.