A man in his 20s who broke into his ex-girlfriend's home and beat her pet cat to death was given a suspended prison sentence.
On the 26th, according to legal sources, Park Gi-beom, a single judge in Criminal Division 13 at the Suwon District Court, sentenced A to six months in prison, suspended for two years, and 80 hours of community service on charges including violating the Animal Protection Act, housebreaking, and property damage.
Judge Park said, "In light of the circumstances, content, and method of the crime, the nature of the offense is quite poor, and the victim's mental pain and shock appear to be very great; the fact that the victim has not forgiven the defendant is unfavorable to the defendant." Park added, "However, the court sets the sentence considering as favorable circumstances that the defendant reflects on the wrongdoing and is a first-time offender," explaining the reasoning for the sentence.
A was brought to trial on charges of entering an ex-girlfriend's home in Cheoin-gu, Yongin, at about 3:05 p.m. on Aug. 23 last year and repeatedly beating and throwing the cat, saying he was angry because the cat had scratched him.
The two had dated for about six months before breaking up, and A reportedly confirmed the home was empty and entered by punching in the front-door passcode he knew.