An aircraft fitter from Chester ‘lost it’ and drowned his cat in the bath.

Christopher Hurst, 38, of Wharton Court, admitted killing eight-year-old Charlie at home on September 12.

Scratch marks found on the owner’s hands were consistent with the cat struggling against him.

Hurst was sentenced to 18 weeks in prison at Chester Magistrates Court on Thursday (January 28).

RSPCA investigating officer Anthony Joynes said: “This was one of the worst cases of cruelty I have ever dealt with and the details will stay with me for a long, long time.

“Charlie had done nothing wrong and was brutally drowned by Hurst.

“The suffering he must have endured is just stomach churning.

“I am glad we’ve managed to bring his abuser before the courts and his suffering has not gone unanswered.”

Hurst, who drank every day to self medicate for his mental health problems, had owned Charlie, a long-haired black cat, since he was a kitten.

'It all happened very quickly'

He said he had tried to rehome the pet because the cat had been ripping up his neighbours’ property and keeping everyone in the apartment block up all night.

Cheshire Police were called after reports of a disturbance at the flat in Wharton Court.

The 38-year-old said he had run the bath for himself, but told officers he just ‘lost it’ and ‘it had all happened very quickly’.

He held Charlie down underneath the water until he had drowned.

WARNING: Distressing images of Charlie below.

Christopher Murphy, prosecuting, said: “The vet said these were cruel and inhumane actions on a perfectly healthy cat for no reason whatsoever.

“The drowning would’ve resulted in severe mental trauma and psychological suffering for Charlie.”

Christopher Hurst drowned his pet cat Charlie on September 12

Hurst had one previous conviction, for assaulting a police officer when he was arrested later on September 12.

He was also too drunk to be interviewed on the same day.

Taryn Craddock, defending, said: “He feels this point in his life was extremely low for him and believes he had a mental breakdown during this time.

“He suffers from tinitis and this had been causing severe sleep deprivation.

Christopher Hurst drowned his pet cat Charlie on September 12

“Mr Hurst knows this is not an excuse for what he has done and he is extremely sorry about what’s happened.”

The 38-year-old had cooperated with the probation service and given up alcohol completely since the incident.

Hurst pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary harm to animal and must also pay an £80 victim surcharge.