Father Escapes Prison After Drunkenly Tossing Daughter's Kittens into River Thames
A father who drunkenly threw his daughter's pet kittens into the River Thames has avoided a prison sentence, despite magistrates declaring the act serious enough to cross the custody threshold. Andrew Shephard, 59, was helping his daughter rehome three young cats when he tipped them from a box into the water from Twickenham Bridge in south-west London last November.
Shocking Statements During the Incident
As he committed the act, Shephard could be heard shouting 'let them die' and 'I want them to die', Wimbledon Magistrates' Court heard during the sentencing hearing. The defendant, who previously pleaded guilty to three counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, claimed he did not know 'what came over me' at the time.
Prosecutor Manisha Kukadia told the court that police were called to 'reports of a male throwing cats into the River Thames'. While one kitten was saved before falling into the water, the other two were found 'wet and muddy' but alive by responding officers. Both animals were described as being 'in shock', with their body temperatures dropping below 33°C.
Daughter Unaware of Father's Actions
The kittens belonged to Shephard's daughter, who had entrusted them to her father to help find them new homes. Ms Kukadia emphasized that the defendant's daughter was 'not aware' of his actions on the bridge. After the incident, Shephard spoke to police and admitted he felt bad about the situation, confessing he was 'very drunk at the time'.
The prosecutor stated: 'There was a clear intention for the kittens to be killed so it's extreme and deliberate in nature. The aggravating factor... is the fact that there was use of alcohol at the time – he did say he was intoxicated.'
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
Representing himself in court, Shephard told magistrates: 'I feel bad for what I done. I'm not normally like that. I just don't know what came over me at the time. I was incapacitated by alcohol.'
Addressing the defendant, magistrate Elizabeth Evans JP said: 'It's quite clear that this crosses the custody threshold – it's serious enough in sentencing terms to justify a prison sentence.' However, she suspended the sentence after the probation service indicated Shephard had a 'good chance of rehabilitation'.
Shephard, of no fixed address, received a 17-week prison sentence suspended for 18 months. He must also complete 30 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days, pay a £154 surcharge, and cover £85 in court costs.
