Sliema cat-killer blames violent upbringing, court hears

A man who admitted to killing cats in Sliema has blamed the attacks on his violent upbringing, a court has heard. 

Okamura Satoshi told his probation officer that he would react violently if cats scratched or bit him or did not give him attention. 

The 31-year-old Japanese national claimed his violent outbursts were due to his upbringing and the "intense" verbal abuse he sustained from his father. 

This emerged during the testimony of Matthew Fleri Soler, a probation officer who prepared the pre-sentencing report for Satoshi, who pleaded guilty to a string of brutal attacks on cats in August. 

He admitted harming and killing animals, and causing animals to suffer from unnecessary pain and suffering. He was also charged with slightly injuring two police officers.  

Clean record and conflicting statements

Fleri Soler explained that Satoshi, who works in the iGaming industry, had a clean criminal record and there were no further pending cases against him. 

In one of the four interviews conducted by the probation officer with the accused in preparation for the report, the man reportedly said that his intention was never to hunt down the cats. 

Fleri Soler reported that Satoshi claimed that the violent behaviour would manifest if the cats tried to bite him, scratch him or not give him the attention needed. He denied mutilating during his interview with his probation officer. 

In his interviews, Satoshi reportedly said that the violent outbursts were due to his upbringing, and reported that he sustained “intense” verbal abuse from his father, who placed pressure on him ensuring that he performed at the highest standards. 

“This could have been the main contributing factor,” the accused reportedly told Fleri Soler. The probation officer reported that the accused said that these suppressed feelings resulted in violence towards cats.

Mental health concerns 

Fleri Soler went on to say that there was no addiction, and from Satoshi’s urine samples, it did not emerge that the man had consumed any illicit substances. 

Satoshi holds a tertiary-level qualification.

The probation officer also reported that Satoshi decided to retract certain parts of the initial versions he had given him and provided new information, which according to Fleri Soler was “somewhat conflicting”. 

However, he did not elaborate to what extent it was conflicting. 

Fleri Soler suggested that mental health professionals follow the man once sentenced so that the psychological and emotional issues are addressed and in order to reduce similar violent crime in the future. 

The probation officer suggested an effective prison term coupled with a three-year treatment order.

The probation officer confirmed that Satoshi’s mother confirmed that her son suffered abuse at the hand of his father as a child in an email she sent to him.

In response to a question by defence lawyer Adreana Zammit, Fleri Soler confirmed that there were indications of underlying mental health issues.

The man did not mention any friends or romantic relationships, Fleri Soler told the court, when asked about his relationship in Malta. Satoshi told the probation officer that he likes to spend time alone rather than with friends.

Police inspector Elliot Magro confirmed that their Japanese and British counterparts confirmed that Satoshi had a clean criminal record in both countries.

The case continues.

Public outcry 

In July, a member of the Facebook group ‘Malta Pet Adoption Group’ reported that five stray cats had been found in Sliema dead or injured, and mutilated.

CCTV footage obtained by Times of Malta shows a man violently slamming a cat to the ground in the early hours of the morning. 

Following his arraignment, the Japanese community in Malta raised over €12,000 for animal welfare organisations.

Animal activists launched an online petition that has gained more than 9,400 signatures for Satoshi to be given the maximum legal penalty.

The case is being heard by Magistrate Nadine Sant Lia. Police inspectors Jeffrey Scicluna Briffa and Elliot Magro prosecuted. Lawyers Marion Camilleri and Adreana Zammit are appearing for the accused.