BRANDON MATTHEWS FROM CANTERBURY SHAMES ANIMAL WITH CRUELTY VIDEO

Brandon Matthews, a resident of Suffolk Road in Canterbury, has been convicted of a disturbing act of animal cruelty that shocked the local community and drew the attention of law enforcement authorities. The incident, which took place on December 5, 2023, involved Matthews filming himself violently throwing his ex-girlfriend’s cat across a room, an act that was both heinous and deeply upsetting.

According to court reports, Matthews captured the entire assault on video, which lasted approximately 19 seconds. In the footage, he is seen lifting the cat by her neck and then forcefully throwing her off-screen. A loud thud is audible as the cat hits either the wall or the floor, and Matthews can be seen smirking into the camera, displaying a disturbing lack of remorse. The footage was subsequently shared via Facebook Messenger by Matthews with his former partner, who had already fled to a women’s refuge for her safety.

The woman, distressed and alarmed by the video, handed it over to the police, prompting an investigation into Matthews’ actions. Authorities swiftly responded, leading to his arrest and subsequent charges of animal cruelty and sending offensive messages. Prosecutor Julie Farbrace detailed the case in court, emphasizing the troubled history between Matthews and his ex-girlfriend, which spanned over three years of an on-and-off relationship. After a period of cohabitation, the woman decided to leave and sought refuge in a battered women’s shelter, fearing for her safety.

Ms. Farbrace explained that the woman had attempted to retrieve her cat, even asking her father to pick it up, but Matthews refused and insisted she go and collect the animal herself. The court heard that Matthews then recorded the attack on the cat and used his ex-girlfriend’s Facebook account to share the footage, further adding to her distress. The court was shown the video, with the prosecutor noting, “You can clearly hear the thud of the cat hitting the wall or the floor.” Fortunately, the RSPCA examined the cat afterward and confirmed that she was unharmed and showed no signs of lasting injury.

In addition to the animal cruelty charges, Matthews admitted to two counts of shoplifting, which occurred on December 6 of the previous year. He was caught stealing protein powder from Boots and food from Marks & Spencer, with the total value of the stolen items amounting to £60. His solicitor, Lainey Snook, addressed the court, expressing remorse on Matthews’ behalf and highlighting his awareness of the impact his actions had on his former partner. She stated that Matthews did not cause any physical harm to the cat and was genuinely remorseful, seeking help for his issues.

Ms. Snook explained that Matthews is currently taking medication for ADHD and may also be dealing with other mental health conditions, including autism and bipolar disorder. She described how Matthews was not in a proper state of mind at the time of the incident, citing the recent death of his father and his subsequent use of crack cocaine as contributing factors. The court was also informed that Matthews had a history of convictions but had not offended since 2018 prior to this incident.

Ultimately, the court sentenced Brandon Matthews to 10 weeks in jail for his crimes, reflecting the seriousness of his actions and the need for accountability in cases of animal cruelty and theft.