CONVICTED (2019) | April Rose Hawes, born c. 1983, of Banyard Court, Dereham NR19 1ST – threw a cat nine metres’ distance at her neighbour’s door Hawes attacked a tom cat named Shadow after becoming annoyed that he was “scenting” her home, disturbing her own cats. The court was shown CCTV footage of Hawes throwing the cat about nine metres into the front of a neighbour’s property, with the animal hitting a bin. Prosecuting Ashley Petchey said: “Forty seconds later she is seen throwing it a second time.” On the footage, Hawes can be heard screaming that she hoped the complainant could see it on CCTV and asked if she would be cleaning Hawes’ house. Hawes was arrested and shown the images during interview. She told police she did not realise her own strength and was surprised how far the cat had gone. Mr Petchey added: “She said [the complainant’s] two cats had been scenting everywhere and disturbing her own cats.” Hawes claimed there was no intention to cause Shadow harm. However Mr Petchey said: “Clearly, from the footage, it was a deliberate attempt to cause suffering. Shadow is now walking with a limp.” Hawes admitted causing suffering to a protected animal. Anne-Marie Sheridan, defending Hawes, said she suffered post traumatic stress disorder. She said she had been woken by her neighbour’s cats, which had got into her home, gone through her bin and sprayed. She said she had previously asked the council to stop the animals coming into her home but no action had been taken. Miss Sheridan added Hawes had to leave her window open to allow her own cats to come and go from her property. Sentencing: 12-month community order with 30 days’ rehabilitation activity. Ordered to pay £85 in costs and a victim surcharge of £85. No ban. Eastern Daily Press Daily Mail