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Community order for deer killers Deer killers' sentence 'pathetic'
(10 minutes later)
Two 17-year-old boys have been ordered to do 100 hours community service for stamping a two-day-old deer to death in Dorset. Two 17-year-old boys have been ordered to do 100 hours community service for stamping a young deer to death in Dorset "for a laugh".
The boys were found guilty at Poole Youth Court in December of killing the fawn in Upton Country Park in June. They were found guilty at Poole Youth Court in December of killing the fawn in Upton Country Park in June.
They were cleared of beating a wild mammal with intent to inflict unnecessary suffering. A 16-year-old boy was cleared of both charges. The teenagers were cleared of beating a wild mammal with intent to inflict unnecessary suffering. A 16-year-old boy was cleared of both charges.
Animal campaigners outside the court called the sentence "pathetic".
The boys, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were also given a 12-month community rehabilitation order and each told to pay £1,000 at £20 a week to cover prosecution costs and vet bills.
About 25 campaigners chanted "shame on you" as the boys left court.
Karate chop
Among them was Jill Adelus, who said: "It's a pathetic sentence and we don't accept it.
"The judge isn't handing them the sentence they deserve.
"It's a green light to say it is okay to kill and torture animals."
Post-mortem tests showed the deer suffered multiple injuries.Post-mortem tests showed the deer suffered multiple injuries.
The boys, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were also given a 12-month community rehabilitation order and each told to pay £1,000 in costs. The boys were "egging" each other on, with one swinging the deer by its leg and another karate chopping its head, before they "stomped" it to death, the court heard.
The fawn, which was four to six weeks old, suffered several skull fractures, a severed spine and a fractured right leg.
District Judge Roger House said: "The penalty for this offence is such that there cannot be imprisonment in the youth court."
One of the teenagers has lodged an appeal against his conviction which will be heard at a later date.