Woman filmed drop-kicking kitten

Nicola Collinson's actions were describes as sadistic

A woman who punched and drop-kicked a kitten like a rugby ball has been banned for life from keeping animals.

Nicola Collinson, 21, from Gateshead, was filmed attacking the young black and white cat in a street in January.

She earlier pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to the animal and was sentenced at Gosforth Magistrates' Court in Newcastle on Monday.

She was given a 12-month supervision order, and a six-month night-time curfew on top of the lifetime ban.

'Laughing and joking'

Clive McKeag, prosecuting, described the offence as "totally sadistic" and "totally unprovoked".

The video, captured on a mobile phone camera, showed Collinson and a 16-year-old female accomplice, who cannot be named for legal reasons, laughing as they repeatedly kick and punch the cat, chasing after it when it attempted to escape.

Mr McKeag said: "These images speak volumes. The fact that they are carrying out these actions laughing and joking, and treating it as amusement, is an awful sight to see."

Collinson, of Parkside Avenue, Gateshead, was also ordered to pay court costs of £420 to the RSPCA.