Jilted lover killed cat

Radley killed Mr Dawson's Persian cat Toddy

A spurned girlfriend who took revenge on her ex-boyfriend by killing his cat and cutting up his clothes has been spared a jail sentence.

Heather Radley was convicted of criminal damage and cruelty to animals at an earlier court hearing in Greater Manchester.

On Thursday, magistrates ordered her to carry out 180 hours of community service and pay nearly £1,000 in compensation and court costs.

The magistrates in Ashton-under-Lyne had heard Radley went to Ken Dawson's house in Hyde last November and carried out the acts while he was on a business trip.

It was a despicable act by a despicable person

Ex-boyfriend Ken Dawson

The court was told Radley left Persian cat Toddy's body in a pool of blood, cut holes in Mr Dawson's underwear, slashed shirts and ties and defaced photographs.

The 33-year-old, of Albion Mill, Hollingworth, Greater Manchester, wanted to "hurt" Mr Dawson after the break up of their seven-month relationship.

After the sentencing, Mr Dawson said: "It was a despicable act by a despicable person."

Radley admitted criminal damage but denied harming the cat, which was killed by either a kick or a blow to its side.

An RSPCA post mortem examination found the cat drowned in its own blood following a blow to its side.

'Fit of temper'

Radley told magistrates at her trial: "I don't understand what happened but I did not kill the cat.

"I regret everything I have done and would not do it again but I was so upset because he was being so horrible."

Sentencing Radley, magistrates told her: "We believe you did kick this cat causing it to die.

"However, we believe it was not your intention to cause fatal injuries.

"We think you carried out this act in a fit of temper."

She was ordered to pay compensation of £487.89 and £500 towards court costs.