Cathays, Cardiff: Steven Cornish punched his girlfriend’s pet cat to death, then stabbed her as well

CONTENT WARNING: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

A 19-year-old who stabbed his partner and punched her pet cat to death has been sentenced to 15-months detention in a young offenders institute.

In May, Steven Cornish woke his then partner up during the night, picked up her pet cat and began attacking it in front of her at their Cardiff, Wales home.

Cornish slammed the cat against the floor and the walls of the room.

He then grabbed the cat by its tail and punched it over and over until it died.

Following the brutal attack, Cornish then forced his partner to clean up the aftermath and pulled her hair while lobbing threats he would enact if she called the police.

In June, Cornish waved a kitchen knife in the air before he stabbed his partner in her right leg near her knee.

The victim suffered a 2.5 cm laceration to her leg.

Prosecutor Dan Jones said Cornish had been “incoherent” at the time, but after the stabbing he had come to his senses, apologised to his partner and helped her to the bathroom.

Cornish reportedly told her he was “such a c***” and that she can’t be with someone like him because it “just won’t work”.

The abuse continued, and on June 10 and 11 Cornish hit the victim on her head with a TV remote before he pulled her across the floor. He then spit on her and pulled out her hair while calling her “worthless and angry”.

The following month on July 15, Cornish slapped and elbowed his partner in the face. She suffered a black eye.

The next day, Cornish used a metal mop pole to hit the victim on her head. She suffered scratch marks, bruising on her leg and right hand, a scratch to her back and cut on the back of her head.

After this final violent attack, police were called. They described the victim as “petrified”, WalesOnline reported.

Cornish was charged with causing unnecessary suffering to an animal, causing grievous bodily harm, two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and assault by beating.

He later pleaded guilty to all charges.

David Pinnell, presenting points in mitigation, said Cornish had “developmental issues” because of his childhood. He also said the 19-year-old’s use of cannabis had been a factor in his offending.

Mr Pinnell said Cornish has been drug free since he was remanded into custody.

Judge Daniel Williams sentenced Cornish to 15 months detention in a young offenders institute.

If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence, phone 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) or the Crisis Care Helpline on 1800 199 008.