CAT HORROR FILM YOUTH LOCKED UP

The pet could be seen landing on a tarmac drive before limping away

Christopher Lees, 18, provided running commentary as a mobile phone was used to film the cat being repeatedly thrown 60ft from a balcony.

The cat had to be put down after its ordeal in Druids Heath, Birmingham.

Lees, of Wilsford Close, Druids Heath, who admitted animal cruelty at an earlier hearing, was also banned from keeping animals for five years.

Three other teenagers involved, aged 14, 16 and 17, will be sentenced next month.

This was a sick and cruel act on a defenceless animal Insp Rob Hartley, RSPCA

The cat, called Kharlo and owned by a local student, was put down by a vet after suffering brain damage and multiple fractures last October.

The footage of the cruelty was passed around on mobile phones before it was reported to police and the RSPCA, Birmingham Magistrates' Court heard.

Sentencing Lees, chair of the bench Richard Trengrouse said: "The cat was hurled from a fifth floor balcony and there was untold fear and harm to the animal.

Christopher Lees "showed no compassion or decency"

"You were not satisfied with this, you videoed and commentated on it. Your comments in the video were callous and you showed no compassion or decency."

As the oldest member of the group, Lees should have stopped the cruelty from taking place, said Mr Trengrouse.

RSPCA Insp Rob Hartley said: "I'm delighted with the sentence being passed by the magistrates today.

"This was a sick and cruel act on a defenceless animal. It is hard to imagine the suffering this animal was put through by this individual."

The cat's owner Simone Warmington, who lives near the tower block, spoke about how she felt following the attack.

"I was absolutely devastated, I cried, I was distraught really.

"I couldn't get my head around it. She would have been so scared, I will never forget it.

Teenagers 'enjoyed' cat cruelty

The pet could be seen landing on a tarmac drive before limping away Sentencing has been adjourned on two teenagers who "enjoyed" throwing a cat from a 60ft balcony in Birmingham. The 16 and 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had earlier admitted animal cruelty. A 14-year-old, who filmed the ordeal in Druids Heath, has admitted aiding and abetting the cruelty. The case on all three was adjourned until 1 August. Christopher Lees, 18, of Wilsford Close, Druids Heath, has admitted cruelty and may be jailed on 14 July. The 16 and 17-year-old were arrested last year after the footage, filmed on a camera phone, was sent to other children, Birmingham Youth Court heard on Tuesday. Magistrates ordered pre-sentence reports on the pair and the 14-year-old. Mr Lees has been warned that he could face imprisonment when he is sentenced in an adult court on 14 July. The cat, called Kharlo, owned by a local student, was put down by a vet after suffering brain damage and multiple fractures during the ordeal last October. Nick Sutton, prosecuting for the RSPCA, said: "The most disturbing feature is not only the sustained cruelty, but also that that was seen as entertainment - it was being done for no other reason than entertainment. "These people were enjoying it and sending it around on phones."