Boys aged 11 and 12 are sentenced for 'absolute horrific' rampage that left more than 20 rabbits, snakes and bird dead at an environment college
Two boys have been told that they 'must do something' to pay their parents back as they were fined for 'horrific' animal cruelty charges after more than 20 animals were killed at an environmental college.
The youngsters, aged 11 and 12, caused £10,000 worth of damage to property and unnecessary suffering to animals during the incident in which rabbits, snakes and birds were killed.
Uxbridge Magistrates' Youth Court heard how the pair stole ferrets, guineapigs and three snakes during the break-in at Capel Manor College in Gunnersbury Park, west London, on February 24.
A barn owl called Shiraz also escaped but was later recovered at a warehouse near Heathrow Airport.
Sentencing the pair on Thursday, Chair of the Presiding Justices Lynn Green gave both boys a community sentence and told them they had only avoided time in prison because of their age and the fact they were not persistent offenders.
Uxbridge Magistrates' Youth Court heard how the pair stole ferrets, guineapigs and three snakes during the break-in at Capel Manor College (pictured) in Gunnersbury Park
She said: 'You have had a taste of custody for a couple of days and it really isn't pleasant.
'If you come back into this court things will not be as pleasant as they are now. It's horrific what you've done... absolutely horrific.
'It's well you are not adults because you would have faced a significant time in custody.'
The pair spent two days in custody after police found three children in a changing room of Gunnersbury Park sports centre playing with a snake.
At a previous hearing, the prosecution said CCTV footage of the raid displayed 'extreme animal cruelty' and that although the boys were of 'good character', the offences represented a 'significant jump into criminality'.
In total, the cost of compensation was £59,000 of which each boy was ordered to pay £200 each, for which their parents will be liable.
Chair of the Presiding Justices Lynn Green added: 'This is your crime, this is your punishment, not your parents'.
'You must do something to pay them back… whatever they ask you to do.'
A barn owl called Shiraz (pictured) also escaped but was later recovered at a warehouse near Heathrow Airport.
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 this type of order.
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 'dispute voluntarily killing the animals' and that they instead wanted to 'take the animals out of their cages and play with them'.
The pair are 'extremely remorseful for their actions', she added.
