Qld cat kill extortion doesn't end in jail

He pleaded guilty to the unlawful killing of a cat, but a Gold Coast man is denying he actually decapitated the animal as part of a failed extortion bid.

Jordan Christie, 21, faced Southport District Court on Monday charged with unlawful killing, extortion and arson.

Christie admitted he'd attempted to extort $3000 from Lewis Hallam after suffering a broken jaw when Mr Hallam allegedly punched him in June 2014.

When Mr Hallam refused to pay the money, his father's car was torched and the dismembered cat was left outside the Hallams' Arundel home.

During his sentencing, Christie's barrister, Patrick Hamilton, said while it could be argued his client had encouraged retribution against his alleged attacker, the crown couldn't prove he was the person who had actually undertaken the incidents in question.

"His role cannot be said to be higher than that," Mr Hamilton told the court.

Christie was sentenced to three years' imprisonment but granted immediate parole on the basis he'd already served 10 months in custody following his arrest.

Judge Katherine McGuinness said Christie, now working as a roofer's apprentice, had been lucky to avoid further imprisonment and his age and plea had counted in his favour.

"The act was malicious and cruel and done with the intention of intimidating," Ms McGuiness said.

"You're very lucky not to be going to jail today."

Christie's boss at the time of the extortion attempt, Nathan Avery, earlier pleaded guilty to a charge of extortion but it is not alleged he had any role in the arson or cat's death.

Avery's matter has been adjourned to March 16 pending a psychiatric assessment.