CONVICTED (2014) | Frankie Hudson, born 10/04/1995, Martin John Bell, born 08/04/1994, Dominic David Baker, born 27/09/1996 and Jordan Steel, born 20/07/1997, all originally of Seaham, County Durham – tortured a mother rabbit to death; her babies all died from starvation.
The female rabbit, named Percy, was stolen from her hutch and taken to a house party and abused with a picture posted on social network Instagram.
The group involved in the abuse comprised Martin Bell of Parkside Crescent, Seaham, Frankie Hudson of Langhurst, Sunderland, Dominic Baker, whose family home is Station Road, Seaham and Jordan Steel currently of Stavordale Street, Seaham (addresses correct at July 2018).
The court heard how Hudson, Bell and Baker were already naked in a bath at the party when Steel, who had taken the rabbit from Embleton Mews in Dawdon, threw the animal in with them.
During the ordeal, Percy was washed and attempts made to shave her fur. Bell then threw her from a window.
The attack was captured on a mobile phone and later posted online.
The bench was told the rabbit, who belonged to a local family, suffered a ruptured liver, broken ribs and abdominal injuries, with the most damage caused by her dislocated head.
One of the youths had wrung the rabbit’s neck after finding her on the ground, hurt and unable to stand. Her body was then put into a bin liner and dumped.
The white lion-headed rabbit had only recently given birth to a litter of five, which died because they could not survive without their mother.
All four thugs admitted causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.
Sentencing:
Bell and Hudson were sentenced to an 18-month community order, with supervision, 200 hours of unpaid work and told to pay £85 costs and £50 in compensation. They were also banned from keeping animals for five years.
Baker and Steel were given 12-month referral orders, ordered to pay costs of £85, a victim surcharge of £15 and £50 compensation to the pet owners. They were also banned from keeping animals for five years.
All bans expired in 2019.
Scum
Hang them 👍