Newcastle man who killed kitten he bought for companionship avoids jail

Robert Hawthorne inflicted horror injuries on Blossom, who was only two to three months old, in September 2023.

Newcastle Crown Court heard Hawthorne, who bought the animal just a month earlier, initially told a relative Blossom had been killed by a car but then confessed he was responsible for her violent death.

RSPCA officials drafted in an expert to examine Blossom's body after she was killed.

Prosecutor Rachel Kelly told the court: "In summary, the expert concluded Blossom had suffered a number of blunt force injuries to the head, neck and thorax.

"She had extensive bruising over the skull and three rib fractures. There was extensive bruising to the neck."

The court heard the expert concluded Blossom had suffered "fear, distress and pain" for several minutes, possibly longer.

Hawthorne accepted he had "beat her up" and said he had "snapped and wasn't thinking straight".

Miss Kelly added: "He stated he had hit Blossom before going on to strangle her because she was crying. He said he felt awful.

"He said she had scratched his hands and cheek. He accepted Blossom was caused to suffer pain and said he regretted what happened."

Hawthorne, 52, of Armstrong Road, Newcastle, admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.

Mr Recorder Samuel Rippon sentenced him to 12 months, suspended for 18 months, with £540 costs and a lifelong ban on keeping animals.

Click here to learn more about NewcastleWorld: Essential, our weekly newsletter, delivering the city’s headline highlights to your inbox

The recorder said the offence was "horrific" but came from a brief loss of control and Hawthorne, who has no previous convictions, has been assessed as posing a low risk of re-offending.

Caroline McGurk, defending, said Blossom had been adequately fed and given sufficient room to exercise before her death and that Hawthorne has expressed remorse.

Miss McGurk said Hawthorne has a long history of mental health problems, is isolated and vulnerable.

Have you got a story you want to share with our readers? You can now send it to us online via YourWorld at https://www.yourworld.net/submit/ It's free to use and, once checked, your story will appear on our website and, space allowing, in our newspapers.