A SPURNED dad-of-two tortured and slaughter-ed his ex-partner’s pet rabbits in revenge after she kicked him out, a court was told.

“Sick” Clifford Whitbread, 31, twisted the two baby animals’ heads as his ex Sarah Roberts had a nap at her Waterfoot home.

The female rabbit was still twitching so he “finished if off” by smashing it over the head with a half brick, Burnley magistrates heard.

The hearing was told how the “brutal” killing was seen by a neighbour’s horrified grandchild.

Miss Roberts had dumped Whitbread, father of her 16-month-old child, three days before.

He had then tried to take his life and had threatened to kill her and the animals.

The defendant took a cock-tail of drink and drugs before attacking the rabbits, bought by Miss Roberts as family pets months earlier.

Whitbread, of Fairfield Avenue, Edgeside, Waterfoot, admitted criminal damage and possessing amphetamine.

The bench, who said the rabbits had been defenceless, added they were so concerned about his conduct they wanted a full pre-sentence report. The defendant was bailed to January 13.

Andrew Robinson, prosec-uting, said Miss Roberts had kicked the defendant out on September 17 because, she said, he had an alcohol prob-lem and there were issues over verbal and physical abuse when he was drunk.

Three days later, the victim went to bed at 11.30am until 2.30pm after a sleepless night with the toddler.

When she awoke she noticed the rabbit run and hutch outside had been moved. She thought it strange and went out.

Mr Robinson said she was confonted by blood all over the ground and found her two white rabbits dead, with blood coming from their noses and mouths.

Miss Roberts found a blood-stained jacket, seemingly the one worn by the defendant.

She also discovered a black bin liner containing 13.2 grammes of amphetamine, Graeme Tindall, for Whit-bread, said he was disgusted and ashamed of himself and knew his behaviour had not been justified.

The relationship with Miss Roberts had lasted two-and-a-half years and he accepted now she was justifiably concerned about the amount he was drinking. The solicitor said: “He is dreadfully sorry and regretful for his actions.”