Pictured: Man charged with attempted murder and stealing dog after woman was found injured in street - as Britain's first dognapping charge is withdrawn

A man has appeared in court charged with attempted murder and stealing a dog after a woman was found with serious injuries in a street.

Last month, Julian Mead was believed to have become the first person in the UK to face the so-called charge of 'dognapping' since the new Pet Abduction Act (2024) came into force in August.

But when he appeared before a crown court judge for the first time this morning it emerged the charge had been replaced with burglary, although the reasons why were not given in court.

Emergency services were called to Bells Lane, in Cinderhill, Nottingham , shortly before 9.30pm on October 1 this year.

The injured woman, aged in her forties, was taken to hospital with injuries that police described as 'serious but not life-threatening'.

Following the assault, a dog was reported stolen from a nearby home.

Mead, of Aspley, Nottingham, made a brief appearance via videolink at the city's crown court today accused of attempted murder, grievous bodily harm with intent, having an offensive weapon - a hammer - and burglary, in which the dog was taken.

He denied all the offences, and was remanded back into custody ahead of a trial at the same court in March.

The 40-year-old, who was wearing a grey tracksuit, was previously charged with taking a dog so as to keep it from the person with lawful control, under the Pet Abduction Act.

The dog - thought to be a British Bulldog named Winnie - is believed to still be missing.

After he was charged last month, Detective Inspector Julian Eminson-Ferry, of Notts Police, said: 'This was a very serious assault, and I am pleased we have now been able to charge a suspect. Our investigation into what happened will now continue.

'The whereabouts of the stolen dog remain unknown and I'd ask anyone with information in this respect to please come forward.'