Teenager who threw cat into canal told by judge "If you were 18, I would have sent you down"

The pair, both 16, admitted causing unnecessary suffering to Ben the cat in Runcorn old town when they appeared at Warrington Youth Court today.

Fortunately, the cat survived but the incident has left its owner traumatised.

The offence was only discovered after one of the boys posted a video on Snapchat in the early hours of April 11 this year.

Footage showing the teenager holding the cat in his arms and then tossing it into the water was shown to the court.

Video: Watch the footage by clicking play below

Sentencing the pair, District Judge John McGarva told the boy who hurled the cat into the water: "If you were 18, I would have sent you down.

"I am disgusted by what I have seen. It is a horrible offence. This animal must have been terrified and would have feared it was going to die. There was a fair likelihood the cat would have drowned in these circumstances."

He was convinced it was a planned event and that the boys had intended to throw the cat into the canal and film it.

Ami Garner, owner of Ben the cat, said her life had been "totally unsettled" since the incident.

In a victim impact statement, she told the court: "My anxiety has gone through the roof. I am constantly worried about Ben and scared it will happen again.

"I have not slept or eaten properly. It has had a severe impact on my life.

"Ben means the world to me. He is the most placid cat I have ever had, so friendly, he would let anyone stroke him.

"I keep thinking of Ben flying over the side of the canal into the water. It makes me feel physically sick.

"I am so emotional and sad since the incident. We are physically hurting after such a horrific ordeal but thankful that he is still alive."

Ami only found out what had happened when her step daughter woke her up at 1am to tell her that a video was being shared on social media featuring a cat being thrown into the Manchester Ship Canal.

Michael Cain, prosecuting, told the court that Ami immediately recognised her ginger rescue cat Ben because he has distinctive markings and behaviour traits.

Mr Cain said: "Previously Ben had been hit by a car and as a result of injuries received from this he curls up when he is picked up.

"Watching the video the cat curls up when he was picked up before being thrown into the canal.

"Ben returned home soaking and wet and was towel dried by the family."

The boy who threw Ben into the canal said the cat had scratched him on the hand after he picked the animal up to stroke it.

He told the court they thought "it would be funny to throw the cat into the canal and see what would happen".

His solicitor Julian Tutchener-Ellis said the teenager had attended a special school for three years but had not been in full time education since November.

He said: "Cannabis is an issue. He has a habit which needs to be addressed."

The boy told the judge he spent £40 a week on cannabis.

The teenager has three previous convictions for dishonesty, violence and failing to comply with a dispersal notice by setting off fireworks in street and is in breach of a criminal behaviour order.

He said he is remorseful and now understands how the cat's owner feels.

He told the court that his family had received death threats and had been vilified on social media.

The teenager was given a 12 month rehabilitation order.

The boy who filmed the incident initially denied that he had been involved claiming he was in Widnes at the time but confessed after being shown CCTV footage of the pair in Runcorn old town on the night of the offence.

His solicitor Dave Robb said: "Once he realised the game was up he did admit fully to police what he had done.

"He accepts it was wrong and apologises profusely."

This teenager was given a referral order for nine months.

Both boys were ordered to pay £100 compensation to Ben's owner, £20 victim surcharge and £85 prosecution costs.