Man Who Threw Kittens into River Thames Given Suspended Sentence

A man who admitted throwing three kittens into the River Thames from a west London bridge has been handed a suspended prison sentence at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court.

Andrew Shephard, 59, pleaded guilty to three counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal after the incident on Twickenham Bridge last November. The court heard he had been helping his daughter rehome the young cats when he tipped them from a box into the river while shouting, “Let them die”.

Witnesses alerted police, and officers responded quickly to the scene in south-west London. One of the kittens was caught before reaching the water, while the other two were recovered shortly afterwards. They were described as wet, muddy and in shock but survived the ordeal.

Prosecutor Manisha Kukadia told the court there had been a clear intention to cause harm. She said Shephard was heard shouting repeatedly as he threw the animals from the bridge. The court also heard that alcohol was a factor, with Shephard later telling officers he had been heavily intoxicated at the time.

In mitigation, Shephard, who is of no fixed address, expressed remorse for his actions. Representing himself in court, he said he felt ashamed and could not explain his behaviour. He told magistrates he had been incapacitated by alcohol and that his actions were out of character.

Magistrate Elizabeth Evans said the offence was serious enough to warrant a custodial sentence, given the deliberate nature of the act and the distress caused. However, she suspended the 17 week prison term for 18 months, citing a probation assessment that suggested Shephard had a realistic prospect of rehabilitation.

In addition to the suspended sentence, Shephard was ordered to complete 30 days of rehabilitation activity. He must also pay a victim surcharge of 154 pounds and court costs of 85 pounds.

The court was told that Shephard’s daughter was unaware of what he intended to do on the bridge and had trusted him to help find homes for the kittens. Following the incident, animal welfare organisations assisted in caring for the rescued animals.

All three kittens have since been successfully rehomed. Two are now living in Chiswick, west London, while the third has been adopted by a family in Suffolk.

Animal welfare groups have reiterated the importance of responsible pet ownership and urged members of the public to seek support if they are struggling to care for animals. The case has drawn attention locally due to the nature of the offence and the fact that the animals survived.