A bank worker who sparked an international outcry after putting a cat in a wheelie bin was today banned from keeping animals for five years and fined £250.
Mary Bale, 45, was caught on CCTV stroking four-year-old tabby Lola before picking her up by the scruff of her neck and dropping her into the bin.
Guilty: Mary Bale arrives at court today where she admitted causing unnecessary suffering to four-year-old tabby Lola
Lola was trapped for 15 hours before her owners Stephanie Andrews-Mann, 24, and husband Darryl, 26, finally found her the following morning.
The footage sparked a nationwide hunt for Bale and led to fury and threats from animal lovers - and resulted in Bale being given police protection.
As evidence was given in court today, Bale - wearing a dark suit and white blouse - sat sipping from a plastic cup before bowing her head as details of the case were read out.
Lola with her owner Darryl Mann, 26, shortly after she was found
Celia Bale, 78, said: 'She's my daughter and as far as I'm concerned she is the most caring person you could ever wish to meet.
'She had cats when she was a little girl and has never shown any cruelty to animals before in her life - she loves animals.
'I talked to her on the phone today and she can't explain why she did it or what got into her head, only that she really regrets it.'
Today the RSPCA welcomed the court's decision.
Nicola Foster, an inspector from the animal charity, said: 'This was a deliberate act and could have had far worse consequences as the defendant had no way of knowing if there was anything like broken glass in the bin, nor how long the cat would be there before she was found, nor if the bin was due to be emptied.
'We are pleased that the court agreed that a complete disregard was shown for the cat’s welfare and hope that this sentence will act as a deterrent to anyone who feels that it is acceptable to mistreat animals in any way.'
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