Two teenagers have pleaded guilty to torturing and killing two kittens with knives, scissors and a blowtorch in a horrific double execution in West Ruislip.
A 16-year-old girl and a 17-year-old boy appeared in the dock at Highbury Corner magistrates court on Tuesday to admit mutilating and killing the animals.
Members of the public went to investigate after seeing the teenagers running away from the scene in Ickenham Road, Ruislip.
What they found was a horrific scene, with one of the cats strung up in a tree and the other kitten laying dead nearby. Both had been slashed open and were tied up with rope. A blow torch was found at the scene, as well as scissors and knives.
The court heard Metropolitan Police officers then discovered evidence that both teenagers had previously been involved in animal mutilation. The boy had searched online for advice on killing cats and dogs, as well as “how to kill a human”.
They appeared together in the dock to plead guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to two kittens and possession of a knife at Ruislip golf course.
District Judge Michael Oliver adjourned sentencing and said both teenagers, who cannot be named, may be locked up for the offences.
Prosecutor Valerie Benjamin said there are concerns that this was an “escalating” pattern of violence.
On Saturday, 3 May police received a report that two teenagers had dismembered two kittens in Ickenham Road.
The girl sat behind her mother and the boy was accompanied by his father as they both entered their guilty pleas, separated in the dock by security guards.
“On the day in question, members of the public have seen the defendants in possession of an animal carrier”, said Ms Benjamin.
“At that point in time, it was clear that there were live animals in that carrier.
“Later on, members of the public were concerned that they had seen the individuals running away from the area.
“They found two kittens – one was hanging from a branch with a rope attached to its neck, and its lower body was ripped open.
“The second was on the floor near to the tree, cut open with a rope attached.
“Knives were found at the scene, a blow torch, and other implements including a pair of scissors.”
When arrested, the boy said he “wasn’t in a good space” and had stopped taking medication, while the girl said she “felt remorse and would never do it again”.
She also said she had “some interest at school in biology”, the prosecutor said.
The judge was told neither of the teenagers have previous convictions, but there is evidence that the boy has mutilated animals in the past, he had chilling online searches, and the girl is suspected of previously mutilating a pet rabbit.
“She loved the rabbit, that’s why I’m very surprised by what she has done”, her mother told the court.
Naushad Amide, defending, said both teenagers, who live in central London, have mental health difficulties and asked for probation reports to be prepared on them prior to sentencing.
The judge called the crimes “abhorrent” as he ordered that the two teenagers should be placed in the care of local authority before sentencing, they are banned from contacting each other, must follow a 6pm to 7am curfew, cannot go to the London Borough of Hillingdon, and must not be in possession of any live animal.
They are also not permitted to leave home with an accompanying adult.
Sentencing has been fixed for June 23.
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