A 17-year-old kitten killer “came close to murdering a human” according to a horrifying note read out in court today (Monday, August 4). The boy, along with a girl also aged 17, appeared in youth court for sentence after they admitted torturing and killing two kittens in West London.
A kitten was found hanging from a tree, and the other on the ground, in a field near Ruislip Golf Club on May 3. The pair, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted animal cruelty offences at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court on May 20.
A police officer gave shocking details of what was found on the boy’s phone after he was arrested. The searches include how to get away with murder, sacrificing animals to Satan, and videos of animals being mutilated and humans being beheaded.
Quoting a note on his phone, she said: “I really wanted to murder someone and everyday I was researching how to get away with murder. I have come close.
“I have killed cats to reduce my urges. I have skinned, strangled, and stabbed cats.” The discoveries on his phone led to police being concerned about his threat to the community, the court heard.
Defence solicitor Naushad Amide insisted there was “nothing he’s said to me that indicates he wants to murder somebody,” adding: “He has an interest in psychology. I think that plays a part into it.”
Searches made on phone on ‘getting away with murder’
Other searches on the boy’s phone and other electronic devices included how to get away with murder and kill homeless people. Prosecutor Valerie Benjamin said there had been significant planning, with searches looking and advertising for the kittens.
She told the court: “There were concerns about his desire to go on to killing humans. He questioned how easy it would be get away with murder and how to kill homeless people,” prosecutor Valerie Benjamin tells the court. “The planning that went into it, getting the animals, advertising for animals, and picking them up.”
Prior to this, she said a small black kitten was found hanging from a tree by a red rope around its neck, with its body ‘completely ripped open’ and ‘eyes bulging out’. There was also flesh and fur cut off and burnt off, with blood on the floor, the court hears.
Judge’s comments after handing out sentence
The teen was then sentenced to 12 months in prison for his involvement in the terrifying plot. He had also previously pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary harm to a protected animal and possessing a knife.
Judge Hina Rai said the boy is ‘bright and articulate’ but the case was ‘deeply shocking and concerning’ and ‘clearly premediated’.
“You have caused extreme suffering to those two kittens. You knew exactly what you were doing and it would result in their suffering,” said the judge, adding: “Without a doubt these are the most awful offences I have seen against animals in this court.”
The judge added that the maximum sentence is five years for an adult, but for children this would be about half or two thirds. She was also concerned about the reliability of the boy’s remorse, having previously shown little empathy for the animals.
“It seems you chose those kittens because they have emotions and you are in a position of power over them,” said the judge.
After consider his mitigation and guilty plea, the sentence came down from a starting point of 20 months to 12 months. There was no separate penalty for having knives because they were used during the offence. The boy also got a lifetime ban from caring for animals.
The 17-year-old girl who also admitted animal cruelty will be sentenced later this afternoon.
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