Boy and girl, 17 and 16, admit to killing protected animals with knives and blowtorches in disturbing North West London incident
Two teenagers have pleaded guilty to the brutal torture and killing of two kittens in Ruislip, North West London — a case that has shocked the local community and prompted widespread public outrage.
The 17-year-old boy and 16-year-old girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (May 20), where they both admitted to causing unnecessary suffering to protected animals and possessing knives in public.
The horrifying incident took place on May 3 near Ickenham Road, not far from Ruislip Golf Course.
Gruesome Scene: Kittens Mutilated, Found Hanging
Prosecutor Valerie Benjamin told the court that members of the public raised the alarm after seeing the teenage boy carrying an animal carrier and later spotting the pair running from the scene.
When police arrived, they discovered a disturbing scene: one kitten hanging from a tree with ropes attached, and another cut open on the ground nearby. Knives, blowtorches, and scissors were recovered at the location.
Online Searches and Chilling Evidence
The court also heard that the boy’s mobile phone contained messages expressing intent to kill cats and dogs, and disturbingly, included searches on how to kill a human.
Following a public appeal and the release of CCTV images, the pair were arrested. Two other teenagers — a 16-year-old boy and a 15-year-old girl — were arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty but later released without charge, according to Metropolitan Police.
Awaiting Sentencing, Under Curfew
The teen defendants have been remanded into local authority care under strict bail conditions, including a 6pm to 7am curfew and a ban on contacting one another.
Presiding District Judge Michael Oliver warned:
“As I hope is clear to you, the offences are extremely serious. I am not ruling out any way of dealing with you.”
The pair are due to be sentenced at the same court on June 23.
