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Case ID: 18210
Classification: Mutilation/Torture
Animal: cat
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Kitten microwaved to death
Torquay, Devon, EN (UK)

Incident Date: Wednesday, Feb 16, 2011

Disposition: Convicted

Defendant/Suspect: Gina Robins

Case Updates: 1 update(s) available

A woman has been accused of microwaving her neighbor's kitten after she was allegedly thrown out of a party.

Gina Robins, 30, faces one charge of causing unnecessary suffering to the pet by putting it in the appliance at a house in Torquay, Devon, on February 16.

It is claimed the short-haired kitten, which was only a few months old, suffered devastating injuries and died.

Robins, wearing a black dress and a white coat, pleaded not guilty when she appeared before magistrates and only spoke to confirm her name and address.

The case is being brought forward by the RSPCA after its owner made a formal complaint.

Robins, of Torquay, was granted bail and is due back before magistrates on August 12 for a pre-trial review.

The charge was brought under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

RSPCA spokesman Sophie Wilkinson said: 'We can't comment on an active case but we would urge that if anybody had any concerns about animal welfare to call the RSPCA immediately.'


Case Updates

A Torbay woman microwaved a 10-week-old kitten to death in revenge after its owner reported her abusive partner to the police, a court has heard.

Mother-of-two Gina Robins, 30, put the family pet in the oven after using it to warm food for her 18-month-old son Oliver while at the home of its owner, Sarah Knutton, days after her then friend had reported an incident involving Robins' partner outside the same house.

Torbay Magistrates' Court heard that Ms Knutton, who is hard of hearing, was able to hear a loud popping noise "like a crisp packet being popped", followed by a loud "screeching" noise while in the lounge, separated from the kitchen by a hallway and two doors. She was beckoned to the kitchen by Robins, who investigated the noise despite claiming not to have heard it and returned saying "oh my God".

Ms Knutton went into the kitchen thinking something had fallen on one of her seven cats or three kittens, shut in the kitchen to keep them away from the baby. She found the black and white kitten dead in the 770 watt appliance on a work surface and was promptly sick in the sink.

The court heard that Robins had sent her friend a text message prior to the incident in February this year saying she had "made it worse" with now ex-boyfriend Matt Taylor after she reported the confrontation outside the house. After the kitten had died, Robins sent another, calling time on their friendship, saying; "Remember the saying 'what goes around comes around'? It has started already to bite you in the arse. The cat? Karma."

Iain O'Donnell, prosecuting for the RSPCA, said: "It is our case that the defendant put the kitten in the microwave and cooked it to death. Robins, of Salisbury Avenue, Torquay, denies a single charge of causing unnecessary suffering to animals, relating to an offense carried out at the house in Higher Cadewell Lane, Torquay, on February 16 this year.

She claims that the microwave, which starts automatically when the door shuts, was accidentally turned on by one of the cats after the kitten got inside. But Ms Knutton, giving evidence, claimed the kittens were too small to even get on the work surface.

Ms Knutton told the court Robins had appeared "jumpy" when she arrived at the house. After discovering the gruesome scene, both women went back into the living room, she added, saying: "She just sat at the other end of the sofa, looking at me. I didn't say anything, I was in a state of shock."

Robins gave evidence in her own defense, denying killing the animal and saying her "karma" message was a reaction to a message asking her to choose between her relationship of eight years with Mr Taylor and their friendship. Often bursting into tears, she also denied fleeing the house after the event.

Robins was found guilty by magistrates in Torbay of causing unnecessary cruelty to an animal. She was released on unconditional bail ahead of sentencing next month.
Source: granthamjournal.co.uk - Nov 25, 2011
Update posted on Nov 24, 2011 - 9:00PM 

References

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