On Tuesday the court was read a police transcript in which Mrs Hemming admitted taking Beauty.

BBC: MP John Hemming's wife 'tried to return missing cat'

Mrs Hemming married the Birmingham Yardley MP in 1981 after they met at a conference in Bridlington.

BBC: MP John Hemming's wife 'tried to return missing cat'

Jurors were shown CCTV footage of Mrs Hemming leaving with the kitten during the opening of the prosecution's case.

BBC: MP John Hemming's wife 'tried to return missing cat'

The court heard how Mrs Hemming told officers she went to Church Road after her husband ended a telephone call to her, saying there was someone at the door.

BBC: MP John Hemming's wife 'tried to return missing cat'

Mrs Hemming said she went into a downstairs bedroom where the four-month-old kitten, Beauty, then brushed against her leg, but she said she could not recall taking it from the property before she drove the short distance to her own home.

BBC: MP John Hemming's wife 'tried to return missing cat'