Yahoo News Cruel teenager trapped cat in washing machine to die overnight
A cruel teenager trapped a pet cat inside a washing machine until it suffocated to death, a court has heard.
Harry Thompson, from Burton, was 17 when he put the cat, called Squeak, inside the washing machine and left it trapped overnight in November last year.
The court heard there was "hilarity and mocking" from Thompson as he found the cat the next day - The Derby Telegraph reported.
Thompson admitted causing unnecessary suffering to an animal as he appeared at the youth court at North Staffordshire Justice Centre.
Animal welfare charity the RSPCA prosecuted the case under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
Thompson pleaded guilty to the offence and has now been sentenced with a Detention Training Order of four months.
The first half of a detention order will be served in custody and the second half is served in the community.
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He was also ordered to pay £200 compensation and a £30 victim surcharge.
The court also banned Thompson from keeping, owning or participating in the care of animals for five years.
Magistrates sentencing Thompson said the detention order was justified because he had caused "prolonged suffering" that lead to the death of the pet.
Thompson was also said to have caused extreme distress to the cat’s owners.
An RSPCA spokesperson said: “This was a very distressing and sad case for us to deal with.
“This prosecution shows that the RSPCA will always take a strong stance against animal abuse, cruelty and neglect and if necessary we will take the perpetrators to court.
“We would always anyone who has any concerns about animal cruelty to contact us on 0300 1234 999.”
