A man has appeared in court accused of drowning a cat.

Patrick Reilly, 42, is said by prosecutors the RSPCA to have killed the tabby, called Simba, in Oxford on August 26 last year.

Appearing before Oxford Magistrates’ Court on Friday afternoon, Reilly, of Gidley Way, Horspath, entered no plea to a single charge of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.

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The full charge, which has been brought by animal charity the RSPCA, reads that Reilly is accused of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, namely a tabby cat known as Simba, by an act namely drowning and he knew or ought reasonably to have known that the act would have that effect or be likely to do so.

Jayne Wilkinson, defending, asked for the matter to be adjourned so she could take instructions from her client, who had attended court with two support workers.

“I have to go through the prosecution papers with Mr Reilly. I would like an opportunity to do that away from the stresses of the court,” she said.

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The magistrates adjourned the plea hearing to July 29 and granted the defendant unconditional bail.

Reilly, who appeared in the dock wearing chinos, a blazer and tartan face covering, spoke only to confirm his personal details and that he understood the hearing was being adjourned.

Tom Blackburn appeared for the RSPCA.

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