SICK thugs shot a cat in the head leaving an air gun pellet lodged in her face.

Pebbles was found with the gruesome wound as her owners returned home from work on Thursday.

Her owner, Amy Cooper, 22, of St Cyrus Road, was left devastated by the attack.

Pebbles was rushed to a vet to have the pellet removed and the wound sewn up.

She is recovering at home.

An Essex Police spokesman said: “This is a sickening act of cruelty.”

Anyone with information should contact Colchester police by calling 101.

Full story in Monday's Gazette