GETTY FILE PICTURE The tragic cat (not pictured) was thrown against a wall

The woman, identified by police only as Natalia, has confessed to the crime and faces up to 15 years in prison. She stabbed her boyfriend Alexei in the liver with a kitchen knife at their home in retaliation for his abuse of the pet. Alexei died from his injuries while being rushed to hospital, according to reports.

He recently moved in with his lover but was left frustrated when he could not fix a broken television set. After three days of struggle Alexei took his anger out on the pet cat, believed to be named Vasili, and his partner reacted with fury. The tragic moggy is being looked after by the couple's neighbours while Russian police launch a murder probe into the shocking case.

GETTY FILE PICTURE The woman, identified only as Natalia, faces 15 years in jail