Mike Dixon, the weirdy-beardy LibDem PPC for Kidderminster, has been convicted of killing Tipsy, a family pet cat. Tipsy was left to die in a pool of blood after Dixon bludgeoned her to death in an angry frenzied attack with a walking stick. Examining vet Darren Jennings found Tipsy’s skull was shattered into 10 pieces, with 20 millilitres of blood in her stomach, telling magistrates that “There is no doubt this cat suffered serious pain and distress from the attack. Death was not instantaneous.”

When sentencing, magistrate Brian McCluskie said:

“Mr Dixon this was a prolonged and awful attack on an animal – the result of your inability to keep your temper that resulted in the family pet being bludgeoned to death. The pet did not die quickly. You caused a death too horrific to contemplate.”

RSPCA inspector Steve Morall who worked on the case said: “This was a callous, brutal attack and we are pleased that the court has sent a clear message to Mr Dixon.” Sentenced to four months in jail, he hung his head as he heard his conviction before he was handcuffed and led away.

Hat-tip: Kidderminster Shuttle