The Mayor of Margate has tearfully described himself as "a broken man" after admitting two charges of animal cruelty.

Cllr Ted Watt-Ruffell plans to resign from office after pleading guilty to failing to provide adequate flea protection for his five-week-old kitten.

He also admitted failing to take the animal to a vet when he appeared at Sittingbourne Magistrates Court yesterday (Wednesday).

Speaking exclusively to the Thanet Extra, he said: "This has left me a broken man. I'm devastated and I don't know how I'm going to carry on."

The prosecution against him had been brought by the RSPCA.

They were called last August by builders working at Mr Watt-Ruffell's home, who were concerned about the health of a white and tortoiseshell cat.

The court heard that when inspectors arrived, they found Mr Watt-Ruffell had left with the sick kitten. He was told to return to the house with the animal, which died minutes later.

The kitten had been suffering from anaemia caused by a flea allergy.

RSPCA inspector Miranda Albinson said: "This kitten was dying and should have been taken straight to a vet. There is no excuse for this kind of neglect. This kitten could easily have been saved had vet treatment been sought."

Mr Watt-Ruffell, of Kingston Avenue in Garlinge, near Margate, was given a 12-month community order and must carry out 80 hours of unpaid work. He was also banned from keeping any animals for 18 months and ordered to pay £2,000 costs.

A long-time pet owner who has also taken in rescue cats in the past, the 53-year-old security guard plans to appeal against his sentence.

A statement released by his office this morning (Thursday) confirmed his intention to stand down as Mayor of Margate. Cllr Mike Tomlinson, the current deputy mayor, will take over his duties.

Mr Watt-Ruffell's wife Alexandra Watt-Ruffell, who also appeared in the dock yesterday, was cleared of all charges against her.