A Suffolk dog owner has denied threatening and trying to bribe a man who was bitten by his dog in a bid to get him to drop the charges against him.

Giving evidence at Ipswich Crown Court, Ollie Deeks claimed he sent Michael Harrison a text message offering him money for food and denied he was trying to buy his silence about the dog attack.

He also denied threatening Mr Harrison in a telephone call about what would happen if he didn’t drop the charges.

Deeks, 25 and of Fornham Road in Bury St Edmunds, has denied intimidation and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Mr Harrison, 32, was at his bedsit in Haverhill in April last year when he was bitten by Deeks’ dog and subsequently underwent surgery.

He reported the matter to the police on May 3 last year and within 48 hours Deeks allegedly tried to “buy his silence” in a text message.

The case continues.