Two teenagers have admitted carrying out a brutal attack on two kittens, leaving both animals dead in a horrific case of animal cruelty.
A 17-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl pleaded guilty to mutilating and killing the kittens near Ickenham Road in Ruislip on the evening of May 3. The pair, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court where they also admitted possessing knives.
Victims left mutilated with weapons found nearby
The bodies of the two kittens were discovered by members of the public, one hanging by a rope from a tree and the other lying nearby on the ground. Both animals had been cut open. At the scene, officers recovered a set of knives, scissors, and blowtorches believed to have been used in the attack.
Concerns were first raised after witnesses saw the male teenager carrying an animal carrier. He and the girl were later seen fleeing the scene. A subsequent investigation found disturbing content on the boy’s mobile phone, including messages about harming animals and searches on how to kill a human.
Court hears disturbing details of cruelty
Prosecutor Valerie Benjamin told the court the boy had expressed a desire to kill cats and dogs, and had researched human murder methods. The two teenagers were arrested shortly after the discovery of the kittens and later charged with animal cruelty and knife possession.
Two other teenagers arrested in connection with the same incident, a 16-year-old boy and a 15-year-old girl, were released without charge following a review by the Metropolitan Police.
Teenagers face sentencing next month
The court ordered that both defendants be remanded into the care of their local authority. They will be subject to a strict 6pm to 7am curfew monitored by police, and are banned from contacting each other.
District Judge Michael Oliver told the pair: “As I hope is clear to you, the offences are extremely serious. I am not ruling out any way of dealing with you.”
They are due to be sentenced on June 23.
