CONVICTED (2017) | Simon Walton, born 21 March 1990, of Broom Terrace, Crook DL15 9LG – broke his pet cat’s leg in a fit of rage

Walton kicked the tabby called Tom across the room and into a door frame after the animal disturbed him sleeping.

The court heard that Walton, who has a history of drug abuse, had taken Diazepam and smoked cannabis the previous evening. Kevin Campbell, prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, said the cat annoyed the sleeping defendant causing him to “lash out” with his foot.

Following a report from his stepfather, who noticed the pet was dragging his hind leg, the eight-month-old feline was seen by a vet.

Magistrates were told the cat was in extreme pain and had to have surgery on what was described by the vet as a “life-long injury”.

Mr Campbell said the vet found “the injury was consistent with the cat having been thrown at or kicked at the wall with force”.

Peter Hamill, mitigating, said Walton was remorseful and shocked by his behaviour. He added the defendant had consumed drugs the night before and his actions were not deliberate but “reckless”.

Walton pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to the protected animal.

Sentencing: £300 costs. Three-year disqualification order (expired April 2020).

Northern Echo