Mueez Ajao
– Disgraced Premier League footballer Kurt Zouma has been ordered to carry out 180 hours of community service and banned from keeping cats for five years for kicking and slapping his Bengal pet in a disturbing home video posted on Snapchat.
– The £125,000-a-week defender, 27, looked shamefaced as he was told his punishment at Thames Magistrates Court in east London this morning.
– West Ham defender Zouma was pilloried after footage emerged of him volleying the pet across his kitchen, before throwing a pair of shoes at it and slapping its head, saying: ‘I swear I’ll kill it.’
Also Read: Cat-kicking saga: Timaya makes case for Kurt Zouma
– The Snapchat clip, from February this year, featured laughing and disgusted animal lovers and football fans and was filmed by brother Yoan.
– Father-of-four Zouma pleaded guilty at Thames Magistrates Court in east London last week to two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a cat, after blaming the family pet for damaging a chair.
– His two Bengal male cats – which can cost up to £1,500 each – have since been signed over to be rehomed by the RSPCA.
– District Judge Susan Holdham said: ‘Both of you took part in this disgraceful and reprehensible act with this pet cat.
– ‘The cat looked up to you to care for its needs. On that date in February you did not provide for its needs.
– ‘You must be aware that others look up to you and many young people aspire to emulate you.’
– Zouma was handed 180 hours’ community service and told to pay court costs of nearly £9,000 and banned from keeping or caring for cats for five years. Yoan was ordered to carry out 140 hours’ community service.
BREAKING: West Ham defender Kurt Zouma sentenced to 12-month community order after pleading guilty to two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal as well as being banned from keeping cats for five years. pic.twitter.com/tIH5821lgQ
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) June 1, 2022
