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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Deer killers' sentence 'pathetic' | Deer killers' sentence 'pathetic' |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| 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". | 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". |
| They pair were found guilty at Poole Youth Court in December of killing the fawn in Upton Country Park in June. | |
| 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. | 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". | 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 orders 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. | About 25 campaigners chanted "shame on you" as the boys left court. |
| Karate chop | Karate chop |
| Among them was Jill Adelus, who said: "It's a pathetic sentence and we don't accept it. | 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. | "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." | "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. |
| Keith Arthurs was walking his dog when he saw the fawn stamped to death | |
| 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 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 16-year-old boy, who was cleared of all charges, told police he only nudged the fawn once with his foot and did not laugh like the others. | |
| The fawn, which was four to six weeks old, suffered several skull fractures, a severed spine and a fractured right leg. | 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." | District Judge Roger House said: "The penalty for this offence is such that there cannot be imprisonment in the youth court." |
| The deer's death attracted international interest when eyewitness Keith Arthurs, 52, who was walking his dog, saw it being attacked. | |
| The court heard Mr Arthurs was so distressed by what he saw he no longer goes to the park. | |
| One of the teenagers has lodged an appeal against his conviction which will be heard at a later date. | One of the teenagers has lodged an appeal against his conviction which will be heard at a later date. |