A savage cat killer who cut his pet's throat and buried her to cover up the fact he'd broken her leg in a rage has been jailed.
Adam Alkour used a razor to kill six-year-old Darwin then after she bled to death he walked six miles to bury her. A court heard Alkour had taken over the care of the cat after her previous owners became unable to look after her.
But in a fit of anger during a mental health crisis he hit her so hard he broke her leg. Having been unable to get an appointment to take her to a vet straight away, he became worried a vet would realise what he had done so decided to kill her, two days after breaking her leg.
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Alex Bousfield, prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, told Newcastle Crown Court : "This case concerns the physical abuse and improper killing of a black and white cat, Darwin. He broke her leg, cut her throat and buried her body to avoid detection."
The court heard Alkour, 32, of Grafton House, Byker, Newcastle, had sent a message to his friend in November last year saying the cat had died and the friend expressed his sympathy. In January Alkour sent a further message saying "in a fit of rage" he broke her leg and had been scared the vet would know what he had done if he took her for treatment, so he killed her.
Mr Bousfield said: "He then said he had walked six miles to bury the cat then returned the next day to bury the cat again because the ground was frozen."
When spoken to by the RSPCA, Alkour confirmed killing Darwin and said he regretted it and "didn't butcher her". Mr Bousfield said: "He described grabbing a razor and cutting her throat. She was in a towel and he stayed with her until she bled out."
The court heard he said Darwin was terrified of him and a vet said the injury would have caused extreme pain and trauma, the length of which would depend on the depth of the wound, which was unknown as Darwin's body was never found.
Alkour, who has nine previous convictions, including for burglary and possessing cannabis with intent to supply, pleaded guilty to three offences - causing unnecessary suffering, failing to provide veterinary care for the broken leg and failing to protect her from pain, suffering, injury or disease. He was jailed for six months and disqualified from keeping animals for life.
Recorder Mark McKone KC told him: "All cases of cruelty to animals are serious. This is a serious case of cruelty.
"The public expect those who keep pets are kind to them, not cruel. Pets are vulnerable."
The judge added: "The public would be outraged if a prison sentence was not imposed in these circumstances. People need to know, if they are cruel to animals in a serious way the courts will impose a prison sentence as a result."
Oliver Connor, defending, said: "He found himself in a position where the cat had been dumped on him. He didn't intend to own a cat, the previous owners became unable to look after and care for her and Mr Alkour took her in. He cared for her for around six months.
"He has true remorse. He was abusing substances, drugs, something he has abstained from for some time now."
The court heard he has an emotionally unstable personality disorder and said he had "freaked out" and acted "in a panicked state". He had taken Darwin to the vets previously and a few days before killing her he had called the RPSCA asking for help and saying he couldn't cope.
The court heard he had a troubled childhood, has been homeless and has been under the care of a psychiatrist and psychologist.
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