Woman who dumped cat in bin fined by court

A woman who faced an international hate campaign after dumping a cat in a wheelie bin walked free from a British court today after being fined £250 (€284.76).

Mary Bale, who made headlines around the world after CCTV footage of the incident was posted on the internet, was also ordered to pay the RSPCA's costs of £1,171 (€1,333.82) after pleading guilty to causing unnecessary suffering.

The ex-bank clerk, who was banned from keeping or owning animals for five years, could offer no explanation for the offence when she appeared at Coventry Magistrates' Court.

But defence solicitor David Murray told District Judge Caroline Goulborn that Bale's father, who has since died, was gravely ill when the "impulsive and irrational" offence was committed on August 21.

It emerged in court that Bale (aged 45) was walking from her mother's home to her own home in St Michael's Road, Coventry, when she started to stroke the cat before "scruffing" it and depositing it in the bin.

The tabby, named Lola, is estimated to have been trapped overnight for around 15 hours and was only freed after being heard crying for help the following morning.

Mr Murray told the court that Bale - whose father was admitted to hospital following a fall at his home before the incident - was suffering from anxiety and depression and had now resigned from her job after 27 years of service.

Speaking outside court, Mr Murray stressed that Bale wished to apologise for her actions and "bitterly regretted" what she had done.

"For the 10 days before this incident, she (Bale) and her mother had been visiting daily her father, who was in a critical condition at Coventry's Walsgrave Hospital," Mr Murray said.

"Despite a lengthy period of soul-searching she cannot still explain her behaviour and wishes to again repeat her apology to the owners of Lola."

The lawyer added: "For a moment's aberration she has paid a significant price. She has received hate-mail, abusive telephone messages and death threats.

"Sadly, her father passed away last Thursday and she now wishes to be with her mother and family and offer them support during this period of grief."

Bale, who was also asked to pay a £15 (€17.09) victim surcharge, battled her way through a crowd of photographers and cameramen before leaving the court complex in a waiting taxi.

A second charge, of failing to provide the cat with a suitable environment, contrary to the 2006 Animal Welfare Act, was dropped.

Opening the facts of the case, Nick Sutton, prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, invited the district judge to watch footage of the incident on a laptop computer.

Grey-haired Bale, wearing a turquoise jacket and skirt, sat with her head bowed as Mr Sutton outlined the events shown on the film, including moments when she checked to ensure no-one was looking.

After the footage ended, Mr Sutton told Miss Goulborn: "That, in essence, is the case.

"The defendant lives three streets away, a relatively short distance, from the home of the owners of the cat, who were not known to her."

Passing sentence, Miss Goulborn told Bale she had taken into account her previous good character, her co-operation with the investigating authorities, and her guilty plea entered at the first opportunity.

District Judge Goulborn added: "I accept that you were in a stressful situation at the time, but that's no excuse for what you did.

"The media interest in this case has resulted in you being vilified in some quarters and I have taken that into account."

Speaking after the case, RSPCA Inspector Nicky Foster said she hoped the substantial costs order made against the defendant and the ban on keeping animals would act as a deterrent.

The official, who insisted that the charity would still have prosecuted Bale if the incident had not been captured on camera, said: "The cat in this case has been extremely lucky to come out unharmed and with no lasting injuries.

"The magistrates have looked at the case and I think it's a very fair decision."