Man who tortured cat with spray paint before killing it is jailed for six months

Stefan Wallace also banned from owning pets for 10 years

Stefan Wallace, 25, was given a six-month jail sentence for animal cruelty. (Met Police)

A man has been jailed for six months for animal cruelty, after killing a cat he had first tortured with spray paint.

Stefan Wallace, 25, from Dagenham, was given the sentence at Barkingside Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.

His conviction was based on a video of the incident, which was found on a flash drive at his address by police.

Officers carried out a search of his home after Mr Wallace told police on 1 October, while being arrested for possession of a machete in a public place, that he had butchered a cat.

Tony Kiddle, an officer with the East Area Command Wildlife Unit, said that Mr Wallace’s face could be clearly identified in the footage, which he described as “disturbing in the extreme”.

Mr Kiddle also said that it was likely Mr Wallace had killed other animals in recent years.

“Wallace has exhibited horrifyingly cruel behaviour and it is reassuring to know that he has been removed to a place where he can cause no further harm to beloved pets,” Mr Kiddle added.

As well as receiving a 6-month jail term, Mr Wallace was banned under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 from owning a pet for a period of 10 years.