Drunk Father Shouts 'Let Them Die' While Tossing Kittens into Thames
A drunken father who threw his daughter's pet kittens into the River Thames while shouting "let them die" has been sentenced at Wimbledon Magistrates' Court. Andrew Shephard, 59, was assisting his daughter in rehoming the three young cats when he tipped them from a box into the water from Twickenham Bridge in south-west London last November.
Court Hears Disturbing Details of the Incident
During the sentencing hearing on Tuesday, prosecutor Manisha Kukadia told the court that police were called to "reports of a male throwing cats into the River Thames." Witnesses observed the incident and heard Shephard repeatedly shout "I want them to die, let them die" as he committed the act.
Of the three kittens involved, one was rescued before falling into the river, while the other two were found by police officers "wet and muddy" but alive. The animals were described as being "in shock" with their body temperatures dropping below 33°C.
Defendant's Alcohol Problem and Remorse
Shephard, who represented himself in court, 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."
The prosecutor noted that Shephard had shown remorse after the incident, telling police "he felt bad about the situation." However, Ms. Kukadia emphasized that "there was a clear intention for the kittens to be killed so it's extreme and deliberate in nature," with alcohol consumption serving as an aggravating factor.
Sentencing and Rehabilitation Prospects
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 suspended Shephard's sentence after determining he had "a good chance of rehabilitation" according to probation services. 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 victim surcharge, and cover £85 in court costs. The court heard that Shephard's daughter, who had given him the kittens to help rehome them, was unaware of his actions on the bridge.
