Wick sheriff issues arrest warrant after man accused of domestic abuse and killing cat fails to show up at court

A sheriff has ordered the arrest of an Aberdeen man who is alleged to have killed a cat with an airgun as part of abuse towards his partner.

The warrant was granted after Peter Huntington (63) failed to appear at Wick Sheriff Court on Tuesday for his trial.

He is accused of causing the cat unnecessary suffering and severe injuries, from which it died.

The incident is said to have occurred on November 21, 2013, at Cairnside, Spittal.

Huntington, of Westdyke Drive, Westhill, Aberdeen, pleaded not guilty previously, and also denied having engaged in a course of abusive conduct towards his partner by repeatedly sending her unwanted messages over a three-day period, and posting multiple packages to her home, one of which was said to be accompanied by a photo of family members and a derogatory note, as well as leaving her a voicemail message and placing her in a state of fear and alarm.

A solicitor said he had “no explanation” as to why Huntington, who had been granted conditional bail previously, wasn’t present at court.

He had been in touch with Huntington as recently as last week, but subsequent attempts to contact him had been unsuccessful.