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Man jailed for rare monkey theft Man jailed for rare monkey theft
(about 2 hours later)
A man has been jailed for a year for stealing a rare squirrel monkey from its cage at a theme park.A man has been jailed for a year for stealing a rare squirrel monkey from its cage at a theme park.
Marlon Brown, 23, was among a group who stole the endangered Bolivian monkey from Chessington World of Adventures in south-west London in July 2006.Marlon Brown, 23, was among a group who stole the endangered Bolivian monkey from Chessington World of Adventures in south-west London in July 2006.
He denied the theft but traces of his blood were found in SpongeBob the monkey's enclosure, a court heard.He denied the theft but traces of his blood were found in SpongeBob the monkey's enclosure, a court heard.
Judge Richard Haworth told Brown at Kingston Crown Court: "It was a cruel offence. It was an act of devilry."Judge Richard Haworth told Brown at Kingston Crown Court: "It was a cruel offence. It was an act of devilry."
The monkey was recovered but it was traumatised and still is traumatised Judge Richard HaworthThe monkey was recovered but it was traumatised and still is traumatised Judge Richard Haworth
Brown was attacked by the other monkeys when he entered the cage - leaving behind traces of blood, the court heard.Brown was attacked by the other monkeys when he entered the cage - leaving behind traces of blood, the court heard.
He then made off with SpongeBob stuffed in a rucksack.He then made off with SpongeBob stuffed in a rucksack.
SpongeBob's theft sparked a nationwide appeal to the public to help find him.SpongeBob's theft sparked a nationwide appeal to the public to help find him.
He was spotted two days later playing with children in Brixton, south London - near Brown's home. He was spotted two days later playing with children in Clapham, south London - near Brown's home.
"In the event the monkey was recovered but it was traumatised and still is traumatised," said Judge Haworth. "You showed no remorse.""In the event the monkey was recovered but it was traumatised and still is traumatised," said Judge Haworth. "You showed no remorse."
Chessington zoo keeper Sonia Freeman said: "Hopefully this will go some way towards showing people that animals are not play things and should be respected."Chessington zoo keeper Sonia Freeman said: "Hopefully this will go some way towards showing people that animals are not play things and should be respected."
New homeNew home
After SpongeBob was found he was rejected by Chessington's other monkeys, and so took up residence at Battersea Zoo.After SpongeBob was found he was rejected by Chessington's other monkeys, and so took up residence at Battersea Zoo.
He is still having trouble making friends with other monkeys in his new home, but a weblog has been started in his name.He is still having trouble making friends with other monkeys in his new home, but a weblog has been started in his name.
In his latest entry "SpongeBob" wrote: "It's been an exciting few weeks, what with the guy who stole me going to court and everything.In his latest entry "SpongeBob" wrote: "It's been an exciting few weeks, what with the guy who stole me going to court and everything.
"I understand I featured in the papers again, which is kinda cool."I understand I featured in the papers again, which is kinda cool.
"I was missing the attention, frankly.""I was missing the attention, frankly."