A MAN said he drowned a cat because it kept coming on to his property and ‘ruining’ his crops, a court heard.

Richard Frank Giles killed a tabby cat named Ruby by drowning it because he said it would repeatedly walk onto his property in Adber, Weymouth Magistrates’ Court heard.

Giles said the cat was ‘ruining’ his crops, which included carrots and leeks - of which he grows in his garden.

Speaking at a hearing at WEymouth Magistrates Court, the 69-year-old admitted killing the cat.

Giles, who lives in Adber Court, told the court: “I said from get go I was guilty of killing the cat.

“I did it because I was driven to it.

“The cat kept coming on my property and ruining my fruit and vegetables.

“I work hard. I worked at Bridport Gundry for two decades.”

A probation report was made on March 5 - when Giles again admitted killing the cat Ruby by drowning.

Prosecutor and representative for the RSPCA, Matthew Knight said: “He drowned his neighbour’s cat.

“Because the offence was so serious I recommend a starting option of custody.”

The case was adjourned on a off-all options basis. This means custody is to be considered even though it is a summary offence.

Giles will next appear at Weymouth Magistrates Court for a pre-sentencing report on April 6.