Jordan Christie, 21, was due to face trial in the District Court on Monday over the death of a cat named Moggy Moo outside an Arundel house in June 2014.
The court heard the animal was decapitated and its blood was used to write a threatening message on the garage door of the home.
The words "Whers my money? Tik tok! [sic]" were scrawled on the door.
A burnt-out car was also found in the driveway and what appeared to be a cat's head had been left on top of the home's front door.
The situation escalated when Christie and his friends made threats and tried unsuccessfully to extort $3,000 from the alleged perpetrator.
Christie now visiting psychologists, found a job
Instead of facing trial, Christie entered guilty pleas to charges to unlawful killing of an animal, arson and extortion.
During sentencing, Crown Prosecutor Judy Geary told the court Christie was a party to the crime but there was no evidence he was in attendance at the Arundel home on the night of the incident.
"This is very serious offending ... the burning of the vehicle and killing of the cat," prosecutor Geary said. "The killing of the cat is a particularly horrific offence."
During sentencing, District Court Judge Katherine McGinness told Christie: "You are very lucky you are not going back to jail today."
"The act was malicious and cruel."
Defence barrister Patrick Wilson argued his client had made considerable efforts to improve his personal circumstances since the incident.
They include regular sessions with a clinical psychologist and finding a permanent job as a roofing apprentice.
"He is not a person who has ever had problems with drugs or alcohol," he said.
Christie was jailed for three years, but paroled immediately, because he has already served almost 10 months in pre-sentence custody.
His co accused Nathan Avery also pleaded guilty to one charge of extortion and he will be sentenced at a later date.
(ABC Online - March 6, 2016)
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