The RSPCA was contacted in August 2007 about Smokey, a four-month-old tabby and white cat, and three-month-old black cat Fluffy.

Christopher Brear admitted that he abandoned Fluffy in a field with no food, water or shelter in early August after she had fallen down the stairs and injured her leg on 24 July.

Smokey came to live at Victory Close, Long Eaton, with Brear and his partner in August.

The cat sustained fractured ribs and facial injuries on 21 August. The defendant said he had trodden on Smokey accidentally and didn't know he was injured. No veterinary treatment was sought for the kitten.

A vet, asked by the RSPCA to examine the cat, found that Smokey was dehydrated and had breathing problems.

He was suffering from at least four fractured ribs and a head trauma.

The vet's opinion was that the injuries could not have occurred by being trodden on once. He said that Smokey would have suffered for at least 52 hours due to lack of veterinary treatment.

The vet concluded that Fluffy would have suffered due to lack of food, untreated injuries, lack of shelter, stress and risk of predators, after she was abandoned.

The court heard that, on 22 August, the defendant claimed to have trodden on another kitten, named Smudge, who died as a result. This cat was not part of RSPCA charges.

The district judge said that Brear had escaped prison due to his early guilty plea.

RSPCA inspector Helen Mead said: "This case involved two very young cats which became injured and were denied veterinary treatment. Fluffy was given no chance and was left on her own in a strange place with no provisions and an injured leg - I dread to think what happened to her.

"It is absolutely unacceptable for anyone to leave their pet without veterinary treatment, particularly where they are seriously injured."

Brear, of Woodstock Road, Toton, Nottingham, was also given a six-month supervision order; was ordered to do 200 hours of unpaid work and pay £700 costs.

Smokey the cat made a full recovery and has been rehomed.