A HUNTINGDON man who filmed himself ‘torturing’ his cat by sticking it in a tumble dryer THREE times has been jailed today.

Allan Staughton put his tabby cat Princess in the tumble dryer in his former home in Roman Gate, Godmanchester, on June 14 and turned it on three times.

Magistrates at Huntingdon Law Courts were shown the film he uploaded to online video sharing site Youtube and another forum, titled “You must see this - it will crack you up”.

The video shows the 23-year-old, now of Saunders Close, Huntingdon, ask the cat if he wanted to see Mr Tumble - in reference to a character on CBeebies programme Something Special.

The RSPCA tracked Staughton down after the incident was reported by The Hunts Post after a concerned forum member contacted us. He was found outside a pub in Godmanchester on July 4.

Robert Starr, prosecuting said that in interview he said that he thought it was funny and did it because he was having a bad day.

He added that Staughton later thought it was disgusting.

Kevin Warboys, defending, said that Staughton was obsessed with children’s TV which reflected his personality.

Staughton admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal on October 23.

Celia Chignell, presiding magistrate, jailed Staughton for 56 days and banned him from keeping animals for life, which he can appeal after five years.

She said: “We see what you did was a form of torture and the aggravating features in this offence are so serious that only an immediate custodial sentence is appropriate.”

After the incident Staughton took Princess to Wood Green Animal Shelter and the cat has been re-homed.