DRUNKEN Oliver Thomas tossed a neighbour’s pet dog out of a third floor window because he was angry with it, magistrates heard yesterday.

The 28-year-old, of Middleton Road, Banbury, hit the headlines after his arrest when a prison van travelled 96 miles to transport him just 60 yards.

He was last night starting an 18-week prison sentence for causing an animal’s death.

The court heard that Freddie, a white fluffy Bichon Frise breed, died in pain while being cradled in his owner’s arms after plunging more than 50 feet.

Sarbjit Singh Bisla, prosecuting for the RSPCA at Banbury Magistrates’ Court, said Nada Mansall had owned Freddie for five years.

On September 16 last year she was having a drink with a friend when Thomas turned up at her third floor flat in Middleton Road, Banbury.

Mr Bisla said: “Without any warning the defendant stood up and grabbed the dog. About two seconds went by and then he deliberately dropped the dog from the third floor.”

Thomas, who initially claimed the dog had slipped from the window, said he had thrown Freddie out the window after getting angry with him.

Presiding magistrate Paul Morley jailed Thomas for 18 weeks. He also disqualified him from owning or keeping an animal for life.