A Black Country husband and wife admitted hitting a dog and hurling it from a fifth floor balcony while its elderly owner lay dying in hospital.

Sheena Spence, 62, and her husband Alexander Spence, 60, were looking after black Scottish terrier Laddie while his elderly owner Nancy Howells, aged 86, was in hospital with kidney failure last October.

The dog died from an internal haemorrhage on October 2 after receiving “a number of blows” at the couple’s home, West Bromwich Magistrates’ Court heard.

The couple, from Charlemont Farm, West Bromwich, pleaded guilty to two charges of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal and one charge of failing to attend to the needs of the dog.

A veterinary surgeon found that the dog's injuries were not consistent with a fall. Rather, the dog had died from blunt instrument trauma and was probably “dead or dying” when thrown over the balcony, the RSPCA said.

The court heard that Mrs Howells, who died in hospital on October 29, was “devoted to the dog”, which she had had for five years.

Speaking outside court, Mrs Howells’ daughter-in-law Angela Howells said: “Today would have been Nancy’s 87th birthday so it is ironic that this has been dealt with today. I have bought a figure of a little black terrier just like Laddie which I will lay at her grave with some flowers and a note to say I hope her and Laddie are together again.”

District Judge Michael Morris adjourned the case for sentencing on July 23 at 9.30am.

Mr and Mrs Spence were granted conditional bail, with a condition not to have any animals in their care.