A MAN from Earby has been jailed for 16 weeks and banned from keeping animals for life after admitting repeatedly smashing a cat called Bonnie against a wall until she died.

Jason Metcalfe, of Goodall Close, Earby appeared at Burnley Crown Court for sentencing this morning.

He had previously pleaded guilty to failing to meet Bonnie’s needs by failing to protect her from pain, injury, suffering and disease as a result of the manner in which she was killed.

In addition to the 16 weeks, Metcalfe was sentenced to a further 30 weeks as he was already serving a suspended sentence, making the sentence 46 weeks in total.

RSPCA inspector Dave Holgate said: "This was a dreadful case involving extreme violence against a cat with a very friendly nature that happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

"Metcalfe was approached by Bonnie as he walked along the street, and she nuzzled against his legs.

"He picked her up by a hind leg and smashed her against a wall over and over again until she was dead.

"Post mortem results show she died from a massive trauma to the head.”

The incident happened on George Street on 28 September 2010 when Metcalfe came across the female tabby as he walked home.

The attack was witnessed by a nine-year-old girl who was playing nearby.

When a police officer called at his home he was covered in blood splatter.

In mitigation the court heard that Metcalfe had suffered a brain injury several years previously which had badly affected him.

He was drunk, having ‘fallen off the wagon’ on the day of the attack, and couldn’t remember what happened.

Also that he accepted that he did kill the cat and pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.

RSPCA inspector Dave Holgate said: "Whilst I appreciate that Metcalfe has some problems there can be absolutely no excusing what happened here.

"His actions caused this cat pain and suffering and ultimately death and a great deal of upset for her owners who are understandably devastated by what happened. She was a very friendly, owned and loved cat.

“The sentence passed today was the maximum available and I consider that to be appropriate.”