Max Loketi: Foreign fruit picker jailed for 12 months over ‘sadistic’ and ‘vengeful’ beating of cat in Hamel

WARNING: DISTURBING CONTENT A foreign fruit picker who tortured and brutally beat a small cat has been jailed for a year over the heinous act of animal cruelty, described as “sadistic”, “savage”, “vengeful” and which showed “a complete lack of humanity”. Tongan national Max Loketi, 28, was working at a property in Hamel, about 150km south of Perth, when he picked up the stray cat by its tail and bashed the animal with a 2m pole or stick after it attacked him in the toilet on March 6. The attack was considered to be so severe that it was the first time in WA history an RSPCA prosecution has ended in an immediate prison sentence. Confronting footage of the attack — which is so disgusting it cannot be published — shows Loketi striking the helpless animal while holding it in the air by the tail while his alleged accomplice, Tevita Fifita Vaenuku, laughed as he recorded on his phone. Sentencing Loketi in Perth Magistrates Court on Wednesday, Magistrate Joe Randazzo said the facts of the case were “breathtakingly appalling”. In the footage, Loketi can also be seen slamming the cat on the floor and continuing to repeatedly hit it with the stick before it breaks. Loketi then again picked up the cat and smashed it on the ground, hitting it again with the pole, before hurling it away. “What you then did after that cannot be seen, but I can readily infer you just dumped that cat,” Mr Randazzo said. “In my judgment, your conduct was devoid of and far removed from any proper sense of humane treatment of this small cat. “Your actions were willed, deliberate, they were intentional.” During the attack, Loketi can be heard saying “I’m going to hit it until it dies” and after his co-accused told him to stop: “Do you know when I’m angry I’m going to smack the heck out of you.” Mr Randazzo said he could accept that the cat either biting Loketi, or trying to, would have been an “unpleasant experience” but said his behaviour was consistent with being angry, not frightened. “Your actions were vengeful,” he said. “There’s a complete lack of humanity in the treatment of this cat by you. “Your conduct was savage, violent ... there was no ounce of compassion as you conflicted this beating on this cat. I’m of the view you acted out of malice.” Mr Randazzo added: “In popular Australian folklore in Australia its sometimes said cats have nine lives. But in reality this cat had one life and I have no doubt your actions materially contributed to it losing its life.” “If I’m correct ... it’s merciful that this cat died after the suffering you made it endure,” he said. The attack was uncovered after the video was uploaded to a WhatsApp chat with other employees and then reported to authorities. Both Loketi and his co-offender Vaenuku were charged under the Animal Welfare Act with being “cruel to an animal by torturing, mutilating, beating, wounding, tormenting or otherwise ill-treating the animal”. Loketi pleaded guilty, while Vaenuku is yet to enter a plea. Mr Randazzo said Loketi’s actions were appalling even taking into account his cultural background, with the court told people in his Tongan village would eat wild cats, saying “you weren’t hunting this cat for food”. He said “our community does not tolerate the torture and malicious bearing of animals to the degree in this case”. RSPCA prosecutor Ian Weldon described the incident as a “vicious and sadistic attack” in the “worst type category”. Outside court, RSPCA WA executive manager of animal and enforcement operations Hannah Dreaver said the attack was “completely unnecessary” and said she felt as though justice had been served. Ms Dreaver said that it was the first time a person prosecuted specifically by the RSPCA, rather than the police, had been jailed, which she said was “very significant”. “I think that this reflects just how severe and malicious this beating was, that this animal had to suffer a fate that it didn’t have to go through,” she said. “I’ve been with the RSPCA eight-and-a-half years and this is one of the most severe things I’ve ever had to watch or witness.” Loketi’s sentence was backdated to April 30. He will become eligible for parole after serving six months. Vaenuku was remanded in custody to appear again on June 1.

Max Loketi: Foreign fruit picker jailed for 12 months over ‘sadistic’ and ‘vengeful’ beating of cat in Hamel

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