A father-to-be tried to kill his cat by cooking it in a microwave because she had scratched his hand.
Stephen Stacey, 20, of Portsmouth, placed the animal inside the kitchen appliance for five seconds - causing the feline to cook from the inside.
The cat - called 'Come on then' - survived after vets doused her in water and packed her in ice, but was still emitting heat seven hours after the incident.
Drenched: Vets were forced to douse the poor cat in water to stop her from overheating and dying
Injuries: 'Come on then' had injured her eyes, brain tissue, tongue and other organs
The remarkably resilient animal suffered injuries to her eyes, brain tissue, other internal organs and her tongue.
Stacey has now been banned from keeping animals for life.
Neighbour Simon Allen was woken at 2.30am on February 25 this year when Stacey's girlfriend Jade, 17, knocked on his door in tears.
Mr Allen then confronted Stacey asking where the cat was and he 'opened the microwave and the cat walked out with his tongue hanging out', Portsmouth Magistrates' Court heard.
Sarah Wheadon, prosecuting, said: 'Simon Allen went to their flat and the defendant said the cat had scratched him. He showed him his hand which did indeed have scratches on it.
Ashamed: Stephen Stacey (pictured in hood) tries to avoid photographers as he leaves court
'Stacey told him he had intended to kill the cat by throwing it out of the window or putting it in the microwave.
'He said he had been in the microwave for about five seconds.'
Mr Allen took the cat away from Stacey, who had been drinking all day, and back to his flat where he called the RSPCA.
Ms Wheadon added: 'RSCPA inspector Jenny Ride examined the cat and found the top of her eyes were red and she was still hot to touch.'
The court heard Inspector Ride rushed into the bathroom, placed the cat in the bath and poured three jugs of cold water on her to cool her down.
Come on then also showed signs of acute stress and saw another vet the next morning who had ice packs placed in her cage to keep her cool.
The court was told unemployed Stacey had owned the cat for six months, which has been renamed 'Nancy' by RSPCA staff.
'Most people will be outraged by this. It was a heinous act,' RSPCA inspector Mike Garrity said.
'I am deplored by his actions. He can't blame the fact that he said he was drunk at the time. He needs to take responsibility for his actions.
'The cat has made a full recovery and can look to a much brighter future.'
Ms Wheadon added: 'Stacey was upset after an argument with his girlfriend.
'The vet concluded the cat had suffered significantly and was severely traumatised.'
Happy and healthy: The cat, now called Nancy, has fully recovered thanks to the RSPCA
Since the cruel act he claims he has turned his life around and is due to have his first child with Jade in the spring so needed to avoid a jail sentence to build a life with his unborn child.
'He wanted to move away from the bad influences in his life and has stopped drinking,' his solicitor said.
'His girlfriend is doing that with him and she is three months pregnant. He is facing this with great trepidation as she is only 17.
'This is his chance to set up a family and he wants to be with her during the early months of pregnancy and there until when the child arrives in this world.'
Despite the pleas Stacey was convicted of a cruelty charge, was given a 16-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, and was banned for keeping pets for life.
He will also be subject to an 18-month supervision requirement and will be forced to observe a 7pm to 7am curfew for six weeks.
Magistrate Richard Buckland said: 'This was a deliberate act to seriously injure an animal causing high levels of stress and unnecessary suffering against a defenceless animal.'
by dailymail.co.uk
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