Capel Manor College: Boys 11 and 12 sentenced for animal cruelty

Two boys were told they "must do something" to pay their parents back as they were sentenced for killing more than 20 animals at a London college.

The boys, 11 and 12, had admitted causing criminal damage and unnecessary suffering to animals during a break-in at Capel Manor College on 25 February.

On Thursday they were ordered to pay £200 in compensation, for which their parents will be liable.

Magistrate Lynn Green told them: "This is your punishment, not your parents."

"You must do something to pay them back... whatever they ask you to do," she added.

The boys killed animals and destroyed enclosures causing £10,000 worth of criminal damage during a break-in at the college campus in Gunnersbury Park.

The court previously heard how CCTV footage, which was not shown in court, displayed "extreme animal cruelty".

Prosecutor Vijay Khuttan said: "They entered the areas they should not be in and can be seen throwing animals around, slamming them on the floor, stamping on them - and that ultimately leads to the death of over 20 of those animals."

Rabbits, snakes and birds were among the creatures killed.

The boys also stole various animals from the environmental college, including ferrets and guinea pigs.

During the 30-minute hearing at Uxbridge Magistrates' Youth Court, Ms Green gave both boys a community sentence and told them they had only avoided a jail sentence because of their age and the fact they were not persistent offenders.

As part of the referral order, both boys must attend regular meetings with their parents and youth offending teams for 12 months - the maximum term for an order of this type.

In her sentencing remarks, she said: "It's horrific what you've done, absolutely horrific."

Referring to the CCTV footage of the incident, Ms Green said: "We didn't want to see the video, we can't face it."

During mitigation, Harriet Palfreman, defending the 12-year-old boy, said her client "understands the gravity of the offences committed" and that he is "susceptible to impulsivity".

Dafne Moran Toha, defence lawyer for the 11-year-old, said both boys were "extremely remorseful for their actions".

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