Kurt Zouma pleads responsible to kicking, slapping his pet cat

West Ham defender Kurt Zouma pleaded responsible Tuesday to kicking and slapping his pet cat in abuse caught on video.

The 27-year-old France worldwide appeared at a listening to at Thames Magistrates’ Court accused of three offenses beneath the Animal Welfare Act in relation to footage of the abuse that befell on Feb. 6 and surfaced on social media.

Zouma pleaded responsible to 2 counts of inflicting pointless struggling to a protected animal, whereas one other cost was dismissed. He can be sentenced on June 1.

Zouma arrived on the courtroom in a automotive and was accompanied by a number of safety guards who held out umbrellas to kind a protecting protect round him as he was bundled into the courtroom.

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Zouma’s youthful brother, Yoan, filmed the incident involving the cat and posted it on Snapchat.

BREAKING: West Ham defender Kurt Zouma pleads responsible to 2 counts of inflicting pointless struggling to a protected animal beneath the Animal Welfare Act. pic.twitter.com/qSmadOrHuQ

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) May 24, 2022

Kurt Zouma may very well be seen kicking his Bengal cat throughout his kitchen, earlier than throwing a pair of sneakers at it and slapping its head.

The courtroom was advised by prosecutor Hazel Stevens that Kurt Zouma may very well be heard saying: “I swear I’ll kill it. I swear I’ll kill it.” Stevens mentioned the cats have been deemed accountable by Zouma for damaging a chair in his dwelling.

“Since this footage was put in public domain,” Stevens mentioned, “there was a spate of individuals hitting cats and posting it on numerous social media websites.

“Their behavior falls short of what is expected of a high-profile image.”

Emma Birchley provides the newest from the courtroom listening to involving Kurt Zouma.

The courtroom heard right now that Zouma was filmed saying “I swear i’ll kill it” in reference to the cat. pic.twitter.com/sf2WT2vV9e

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) May 24, 2022

Yoan Zouma admitted to 1 rely of aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring his brother to commit an offense. He was suspended in February by fifth-tier crew Dagenham.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals took Kurt Zouma’s two pet cats into care after the incident.

West Ham fined Zouma two weeks of wage — the utmost quantity attainable — when the incident got here to gentle, however supervisor David Moyes continued to select the defender to play when wholesome. Zouma additionally misplaced a sponsorship take care of Adidas.

The RSPCA introduced the prosecution towards the brothers regardless that it doesn’t have the ability to cost individuals.

British legislation permits organizations such because the RSPCA to make use of specialist legal professionals to deliver personal prosecutions towards people, with such circumstances heard in courtroom and typically taken over by public prosecutors.