Father Spared Jail After Drunkenly Throwing Daughter's Kittens into Thames
A father who drunkenly threw his daughter's pet kittens into the River Thames while shouting "let them die" has been spared jail by Wimbledon Magistrates' Court. Andrew Shephard, 59, was helping his daughter rehome the three young cats when he tipped them from a box into the water from Twickenham Bridge in south-west London last November.
Shocking Incident Witnessed by Public
As he committed the act, Shephard could be heard yelling "let them die" and "I want them to die," according to court testimony. The incident was witnessed by members of the public who immediately contacted the police. Prosecutor Manisha Kukadia told the court that officers responded 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 body temperatures dropping below 33°C. The kittens belonged to Shephard's daughter, who had given them to her father to help find them new homes.
Defendant's Alcohol Problem Revealed
Shephard, who previously pleaded guilty to three counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, told the court he didn't know "what came over me." He admitted to police that he was "very drunk at the time" and acknowledged having a problem with alcohol. The defendant's daughter was reportedly "not aware" of his actions on the bridge.
Prosecutor Kukadia emphasized the deliberate nature of the crime, stating: "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."
Suspended Sentence Despite Crossing Custody Threshold
Magistrate Elizabeth Evans JP told Shephard: "We have listened carefully to what you told us, we have listened carefully to the background of this case which is very unpleasant. It's quite clear that this crosses the custody threshold – it's serious enough in sentencing terms to justify a prison sentence."
However, the court decided to suspend Shephard's sentence after the probation service indicated he had a "good chance of rehabilitation." Shephard, who represented himself in court and has no fixed address, was sentenced to 17 weeks' imprisonment suspended for 18 months.
Additional Requirements Imposed
In addition to the suspended sentence, Shephard must complete 30 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days, pay a £154 surcharge, and cover £85 in court costs. The defendant expressed remorse to police after the incident, telling officers he "felt bad about the situation."
The case highlights the serious consequences of animal cruelty offenses in London, even when defendants show remorse and have mitigating circumstances such as alcohol dependency. The court balanced the severity of the deliberate act against Shephard's personal circumstances and potential for rehabilitation in determining the final sentence.
