Woman guilty of 'cruelty as a trophy'

Nicola Collinson, 21, who attacked the black and white cat in the street, pleaded guilty earlier this month to causing unnecessary suffering.

On top of the lifetime ban, magistrates at Gosforth, Newcastle, sentenced her to a 12-month community and supervision order and six-month curfew, from 7pm to 7am.

Clive McKeag, prosecuting for the RSPCA, said: "It was utterly gratuitous and vicious.

"She not only kicked the animal, but punched it as well, and had no concern for the effects of her actions on the animal. It was cruelty almost as a trophy."

The court was told Collinson had sent the footage to friends, who were so "sickened" by the attack in January that they reported it to the RSPCA.

Questioned by the RSPCA, Collinson admitted taking part in the attack, but said she had been drinking and could hardly remember the night.

Mr McKeag said it was not known what became of the kitten, which "literally ran for its life", but a veterinary surgeon who watched the video said it would have suffered from bruising at the very least.

The video played to the court, showed Collinson and a 16-year-old female accomplice, who cannot be named for legal reasons, laughing as they repeatedly kicked and punched the cat - chasing it and catching it again.

Paul Oxhard, mitigating, said Collinson was thoroughly ashamed of what had happened. He said alcohol would, to some extent, be behind it.

He added that following publicity of the case, the family had been threatened by an animal group and Collinson had been severely beaten by four men, suffering a fractured cheekbone.

Welcoming the sentence, RSPCA Inspector Trevor Walker said after the hearing: "Life bans are few and far between, so it is good to secure one."

Collinson, of Parkside Avenue, Winlaton, Gateshead, was also ordered £420 costs.

At an earlier and separate hearing, the 16-year-old co-accused was banned from keeping animals for five years.