West Ham footballer Kurt Zouma has pleaded guilty to kicking and slapping his cat.
Appearing at Thames Magistrates’ Court in east London on Tuesday morning (24 May), the 27-year-old pleaded guilty to two counts under the Animal Welfare Act.
Zouma apologised after harrowing footage was filmed and shared by his younger brother Yoan, 24, who admitted one offence during the hearing.
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The Hammers defender reportedly arrived at court with several security guards who emerged from a vehicle holding umbrellas to form a protective shield around the defendant.
The brothers’ addresses have been withheld following a court order.
At the hearing, the court was told about the disturbing footage, which was filmed at Zouma’s home and posted on Snapchat by his brother on 6 February.
It was later seen by a woman who had been messaging Yoan, who raised the alarm.
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Zouma could be seen volleying the Bengal cat across his kitchen, before throwing a pair of shoes at it and slapping its head.
Prosecutor Hazel Stevens told the court Kurt Zouma could be heard saying: “I swear I’ll kill it, I swear I’ll kill it.”
He admitted two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal on 6 February.
Yoan admitted one count of aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring his older brother to commit an offence.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Sport