A SCOUT leader who resigned after shooting a neighbour's kitten has been reinstated, the Argus can reveal.

David Knapp, 45, of Heol Isaf, Brynmawr, resigned from the 1st Brynmawr Scouts last year after admitting causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.

But he received a huge amount of support from parents of scouts in his troop, who wanted him to stay on despite the shooting incident.

David Goldsmith, Wales field commissioner, told the Argus Mr Knapp would remain as a scout leader after a meeting of the appointments subcommittee.

He said: "It was decided that he could retain his warrant as a leader, but that he would be subject to review sooner than normal."

Mr Knapp shot his neighbour's five-month-old kitten, Liquorice, with an airgun in a fit of rage on August 30 last year and the kitten had to be put down.

He was ordered to pay £470 in compensation and was fined £200 for the offence when he appeared before Abertillery magistrates.

Mr Knapp, who had no previous convictions, said he had not intended to shoot the kitten, only to frighten it.

He has now told the Argus: "When I was told that I could carry on I was over the moon.

"It means a lot to me, and the children and parents gave me a lot of support.

"I am very sorry for what I did, I was in the wrong but I am glad I am not being punished twice for my mistake.

"It was a bad time for me personally."

Mr Knapp spends one night a week with the scout group, and on Saturday they raised £85 with a sponsored car wash.

He added: "What I did was nothing to do with the scouts and now I just want to get on with my life."

At the time of the court case parents of the young scouts came out in support of Mr Knapp.

Leanne Thomas, whose ten-year-old son Greg is supervised by Mr Knapp, said: "David has paid for what he has done - there is no need for him to resign now.

"My son has been on camping trips with David and I would let him go again. I trust him absolutely and want him to stay on."