A CAT killer beat an 11 week old kitten to death because he was jealous of the attention his wife gave their pet.

Animal rights activists were enraged after Norman Wilson walked free from Brighton Magistrates' Court with just a 10 week suspended sentence after ginger kitten Tiny Tim suffered injuries worse than falling from a third story building and had to be put down.

RSPCA inspectors raised concerns about ten other cats owned by the couple who died in mysterious circumstances involving poisoning by antifreeze and trauma injuries.

A source condemned Wilson as "a thoroughly nasty piece of work" as footage of the seriously injured cat was released after his appearance in court.

Tiny Tim can be seen in the harrowing video with his head flopping to the side and struggling to stand. Shortly after the RSPCA filmed the video the tiny kitten had to be put down.

Sue Baumgardt, of Brighton Animal Action, said the case showed sentencing powers for animal cruelty cases should be increased.

She said: "It makes a nonsense of saying we are a country of animal lovers.

"There are far too many cases like this.

"The fact that someone can keep being suspected of animal cruelty and keep getting more animals is so upsetting."

Wilson, 48, and his disabled wife Carrone, 49, of Oakenfield, Burgess Hill, both admitted to failing to protect the kitten from suffering.

His wife previously said Wilson had been the one to harm Tiny Tim. The couple split up as a result of the kitten's death and he is now living at the Open House Hostel in Riverside way, Crawley.

Wilson told probation officers "Humans are more important than cats so I don't care."

Addressing the court the probation service said: "When he became Mrs Wilson's carer he had feelings of resentment.

"He denied feeling jealous of her feelings towards the cats but we feel this affected his behaviour.

"I am concerned he is a risk to animals, particularly cats, and poses a risk to Mrs Wilson."

David Buck, prosecuting for the RSPCA, said: "There were several cases of unexplained injuries to cats and kittens in the Wilsons' care over two years, which raised growing concerns at various veterinary surgeries.

"Over the time Mr and Mrs Wilson were married there were ten cases of cats suffering from unexplained injuries or illnesses, traumatic head injuries or poisoning leading to their deaths or euthanasia."

"A cat called Lightning died from renal failure from suspected antifreeze poisoning.

"Two other cats had kidney failure suggestive of poisoning.

"There were seven more cases of cats with severe traumatic injuries."

Wilson was sentenced to 10 weeks in custody - suspended for a year. He was also banned from keeping animals indefinitely and ordered to pay £425 costs.