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Cat killer admits torture charges | Cat killer admits torture charges |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A man accused of torturing and killing cats has pleaded guilty to charges of cruelty against several animals. | |
Anthony John Docherty, 23, killed three of the cats. All were decapitated, two were scalped, and one had its tail pulled off. | |
Docherty, who is from Clarkston, East Renfrewshire, committed the offences in January. He was spat on and pushed as he left Paisley Sheriff Court. | |
Sentencing was deferred until Tuesday 2 June for psychiatric reports. | Sentencing was deferred until Tuesday 2 June for psychiatric reports. |
Docherty caused the animals unnecessary suffering by screaming at them, pinching them and taping their paws together. | |
One of them was shouted at, pinched, and bound before Docherty inserted a foreign object into its body, causing internal damage and bleeding. | One of them was shouted at, pinched, and bound before Docherty inserted a foreign object into its body, causing internal damage and bleeding. |
He was originally charged with decapitating one cat and binding the paws of two others with tape, but denied the charges at a court appearance in February. | He was originally charged with decapitating one cat and binding the paws of two others with tape, but denied the charges at a court appearance in February. |
Fresh charges were then brought by the Crown, replacing the previous complaint with seven charges of animal cruelty against several cats. | |
He was charged under the Animal Health and Welfare Act of 2006. | He was charged under the Animal Health and Welfare Act of 2006. |
Docherty was previously alleged to have stolen the animals, before detaining them in a bedroom in his house, but he denied stealing them. | |
The charges refer to events which took place between 1 and 25 January in Clarkston. | |
Sheriff George Kavanagh described Docherty's actions as "contemptible" and "utterly distasteful". | Sheriff George Kavanagh described Docherty's actions as "contemptible" and "utterly distasteful". |
Defence lawyer Jonathan Manson said his client had "various difficulties" which needed to be taken into account. | Defence lawyer Jonathan Manson said his client had "various difficulties" which needed to be taken into account. |
After pleading guilty, Docherty was granted bail with special conditions which prevent him from having any contact with animals. His sentencing was deferred for psychiatric and full background reports. | After pleading guilty, Docherty was granted bail with special conditions which prevent him from having any contact with animals. His sentencing was deferred for psychiatric and full background reports. |