TWO teenagers who stole, tortured and killed a pet rabbit escaped a custodial sentence today (Monday, October 6).

Dominic Baker, 18, appeared with a 17-year-old youth at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates Court for sentencing for their part in the "revolting" ordeal.

John Garside, prosecuting, said the pair were part of a gang of four involved in the torment of the white Lionhead rabbit in June.

Percy the rabbit was stolen from its hutch in Dawdon, Seaham, and taken to a house party where they tried to shave it before throwing it from an upstairs window.

The 17-year-old, who cannot be identified because of his age, finally wrung its neck to kill it before dumping it in a black bin bag.

Percy’s owner Anthony Atkinson said in a statement: “The real victims were my wife and three children. I have had to explain to my four-year-old that Percy is not coming back home. They are distraught and terribly upset.

“The youths are still out and about in the local area. We are worried about repercussions and damage to our home.”

Percy had recently given birth to five baby rabbits that died without their mother, despite the family's best efforts to hand rear them.

The four - who also included Martin Bell, 20, and Frank Hudson, 19 - filmed their actions and posted the video on social media websites.

Baker and the 17-year-old admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal in youth court.

The Northern Echo previously reported that Bell and Hudson, both of Seaham, were sentenced to 18 month community orders with supervision and ordered to complete 200 hours unpaid work each when they appeared before magistrates in Peterlee on Friday.

Mike Simpson, mitigating, said Baker, who was 17 at the time of the offence, and the youth have been vilified on social media as a consequence.

He added: “They have deeply offended the community and they have to deal with that going forward.”

Baker, of Station Road, Seaham, told the court: “I feel sorry for the family and for what I have put them through and I am ashamed of myself.”

Mrs Aileen Little, chair of the bench, said: “The North-East has a bad reputation for animal cruelty and you have not helped.”

The youths were given a 12 month referral order and ordered to pay £150 each.