Docherty was accused of killing three cats and torturing others

A man accused of torturing and killing cats has pleaded guilty to charges of cruelty against several animals.

Anthony John Docherty, 23, killed three of the cats. All were decapitated, two were scalped, and one had its tail pulled off.

Docherty, who is from Clarkston, East Renfrewshire, committed the offences in January. He was spat on and pushed as he left Paisley Sheriff Court.

Sentencing was deferred until Tuesday 2 June for psychiatric reports.

Docherty caused the animals unnecessary suffering by screaming at them, pinching them and taping their paws together.

One of them was shouted at, pinched, and bound before Docherty inserted a foreign object into its body, causing internal damage and bleeding.

He was originally charged with decapitating one cat and binding the paws of two others with tape, but denied the charges at a court appearance in February.

Fresh charges were then brought by the Crown, replacing the previous complaint with seven charges of animal cruelty against several cats.

He was charged under the Animal Health and Welfare Act of 2006.

Docherty was previously alleged to have stolen the animals, before detaining them in a bedroom in his house, but he denied stealing them.

The charges refer to events which took place between 1 and 25 January in Clarkston.

Sheriff George Kavanagh described Docherty's actions as "contemptible" and "utterly distasteful".

Defence lawyer Jonathan Manson said his client had "various difficulties" which needed to be taken into account.

After pleading guilty, Docherty was granted bail with special conditions which prevent him from having any contact with animals. His sentencing was deferred for psychiatric and full background reports.