Cat fiend back in court for burglary (From Warrington Guardian)

Cat fiend back in court for burglary

A YOUNG man who achieved infamy in Crewe when he butchered his girlfriend's cat - and thrust another pet into a washing machine - has been locked up once again this week.

Peter Bebbington, then aged 18, was given 20 months youth custody in March 2004 after he punched, kicked and slashed a cat called Socks, as his horrified partner Michelle Tomkinson looked on.

He also put another cat, Clover, in a washing machine, before it could be rescued and attacked Miss Tomkinson.

Homeless Bebbington, now aged 20, was back in the dock last week after confessing to stealing his father-in-law's car and breaking into an elderly woman's home. He was given 15 months youth custody.

Julie O'Neill, prosecuting, told Chester Crown Court he used a bamboo cane and hook to steal car keys belonging to his father-in-law Paul Fleet, in Frank Bott Avenue, Crewe.

Later he was seen driving Mr Fleet's car, a Citroen ZX, around Hanley by his sister Amy.

Bebbington was arrested and confessed to driving the car through a gate - the vehicle was later written off.

Days later Bebbington broke into the home of Eunice Robinson, in Slaughter Hill, Crewe, when she left the property overnight.

She returned to find damage totalling £280 to three windows and property valued at £240 missing.

Bloodstains found inside the house matched Bebbington's DNA. He had also slept in the house and cooked himself breakfast.

David Hunter, defending, said his client's offending was mostly prompted by the fact he was homeless. Bebbington needed help to curb his binge drinking.

crewe@guardiangrp.co.uk