Kurt Zouma discovers what he’ll do in the gruelling community service as punishment after kicking and abusing his pet cat.
The 27 year old West Ham star was sentenced to 180 hours of community service for animal cruelty and banned from keeping cats for five years after a video went viral showing him slapping and kicking his pet.
The defender was also fined nearly £9,000 after hurling the cat across a kitchen, and then took to throw shoes at it and saying: ‘I swear I’ll kill it.’
Kurt Zouma arrives back at Thames Magistrates Court to be sentenced for kicking his cat…#KurtZouma @KurtZouma pic.twitter.com/56n7snxZVI
— Alex Dibble (@alex_dibble) June 1, 2022
Probation officials reportedly told Zouma and his brother Yoan, 24, who last played for Dagenham, that the community service would be in public.
The pair were warned chores could include the likes of shovelling, litter-picking, grounds maintenance, painting or tackling graffiti.
It means Zouma faces the prospect of wearing a hi-vis vest to do his 180 hours of community service just as the new football season begins.
A source said: “This should be a big wake-up call to anyone in the public eye that if you do bad things you’ll be treated like anyone else.
“If he ends up clearing out canals then he’s only got himself to blame.”
They added: “Celebrities always seem to get better treatment when they do wrong.
“This time around that’s not going to happen and I’m really pleased.”
His two Bengal male cats – which can cost up to £1,500 each – have since been handed over to be re-homed by the RSPCA.
District Judge Susan Holdham said: ‘Both of you took part in this disgraceful and reprehensible act with this pet cat.
‘The cat looked up to you to care for its needs. On that date in February you did not provide for its needs.
‘You must be aware that others look up to you and many young people aspire to emulate you.’
A West Ham club spokesman said: ‘West Ham United wishes to make clear that we condemn in the strongest terms any form of animal abuse or cruelty.
‘This type of behaviour is unacceptable and is not in line with the values of the football club.
‘Within 48 hours of the footage emerging, we fined Kurt the maximum available to the club.
‘Every single penny of this money is now with a number of deserving charities, all dedicated to animal welfare.’
Speaking after the hearing, the RSPCA chief inspectorate officer, Dermot Murphy, said: “We are pleased there has been swift justice in this awful case and our focus now is matching these beautiful cats to the loving homes they deserve.
“This case sends a really clear message that animals should never be treated like this, and posting videos of animals being harmed on social media for likes is abhorrent.”
The court heard the “premeditated” attack was filmed by his Yoan, who then thought it would be a good idea to send it to a woman he was due to go on a date with.
A woman was so shocked that she postponed their meeting, telling him: “I don’t think hitting a cat like that is OK. Don’t bother coming today.”
Yoan Zouma admitted one count of aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring his older brother to commit an offence.
The court heard that Zouma had been subject to racist abuse and threats, lost a “substantial” sponsorship deal with Adidas, was fined a total amount of £250,000 and lost his place in the France national team since the footage emerged.
West Ham also fined Zouma two weeks’ wages – equating to £250,000 ($339,000). The payment was donated to nine different animal welfare charities.
In a statement sent to Sky News, he said: “I want to apologise for my actions. There are no excuses for my behaviour, which I sincerely regret.
“I also want to say how deeply sorry I am to anyone who was upset by the video. I would like to assure everyone that our two cats are perfectly fine and healthy.
“They are loved and cherished by our entire family, and this behaviour was an isolated incident that will not happen again.”
Twitter users reacted as Kurt Zouma discovers what he’ll do in gruelling community service after kicking his cat…
@MariaBNYC: He should have been sent to clean after cats and dogs in animal shelters for one year. He should never be allowed to own a pet his entire life.
@StarBlades: Total animal 🤬
@drake_mikey: Wow our judicial system is really getting tough now isn’t it the sickening animal abuser #kurt Zouma only recd 150 hours of community service, question is did the judge take the knee while passing sentence? Just pathetic.
@NightfallScribe: I’m absolutely disgusted that kicking a cat gets you community service!! Terrifying a defenceless animal and FILMING IT gets you the legal equivalent of a slap on the freaking wrist. Damn our justice system or lack thereof is so God damned broken!! #Disgusted #KurtZouma
@Matthew82069336: Kurt Zouma gets 180 hours Community Service and under 9 to pay in costs. His cat likely traumatised for life after that experience. Being kicked around a kitchen like a football, and him laughing too. He should have been sacked by his weak as piss football club and locked up!
@Owen_Page9: Lots of people seem to be saying ‘it’s just a cat’ after zoumas fine and community service. I’m sure the cat feels that way… That bloke not only thought it was normal to beat his pet, but post it everywhere. Abuse of any form is vile, no matter the victim.
@fergy94_: Kurt Zouma getting 180 hours community service for committing a crime – punishable of up to 5 years in jail – in broad daylight while being recorded is a disgrace. There’s no way any normal person would have received such a lenient sentence.
@jwickhyoung: It should have been a life ban on having any animals. If you can harm an animal and then post it online you are a danger to them.
@SimonVelocity: why didn’t the magistrate order this Neanderthal to be kicked for 90 minutes around a football stadium? 5 years is nothing. Banned for life, only way to learn & on top they should have given him the minimum of a million pounds fine.
@ClaireBines1: He should have been banned for life. The fine isn’t enough either, probably a days pay. His community service should have been in a rescue centre cleaning up s**t.
@_scottym_: Why has Kurt Zouma only been given 180 hours of community service for abusing his lovely cats? The creature (not the cat) is clearly an aggressive, violent person and should have been jailed along with a ban on keeping animals for life, not only 5 years. It’s disgusting.
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