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ROYAL BIRD ATTACK

Teen yobs with catapults killed four of King’s swans in barbaric attack at rescue sanctuary

TWO teen yobs with catapults killed four of the King’s swans in a barbaric attack at a rescue sanctuary.

Two other swans suffered life-changing injuries and at least a dozen others were badly hurt.

Yobs killed four of the King's swans and left two others with life-changing injuries
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Yobs killed four of the King's swans and left two others with life-changing injuriesCredit: Gary Stone
At least a dozen others were badly hurt in the sick attack
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At least a dozen others were badly hurt in the sick attackCredit: Gary Stone
Wendy Hermon, who runs the sanctuary, said: 'I raced down there and cried my eyes out at what I saw. It should be a place of safety for injured animals'
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Wendy Hermon, who runs the sanctuary, said: 'I raced down there and cried my eyes out at what I saw. It should be a place of safety for injured animals'Credit: Gary Stone

A court heard how the two thug pals broke into the Swan Support sanctuary in Datchet, Berkshire.

But Wendy Hermon, 52, who runs the sanctuary, had just had CCTV fitted.

And when she checked from home to see if the cameras were working she ended up watching 20 minutes of “utterly evil” footage.

She said: “I was physically sick. These two boys had catapults and were picking up stones and firing them into swans that were already injured as they cowered at the back of their compound.

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“They were unable to fly because of their injuries and were just barbaric target practice for these sick individuals, who were cheering each hit and goading each other on.

“I raced down there and cried my eyes out at what I saw. It should be a place of safety for injured animals.”

A 13-year-old boy who appeared before Maidenhead youth court on Tuesday and was convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to protected animals.

He got a six-month referral order to a youth offending team.

The Crown retains rights over all unmarked mute swans found on open water in England.

Wendy’s charity is asking for donations to help their rescue work.

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A 13-year-old boy was convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to protected animals
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A 13-year-old boy was convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to protected animalsCredit: Jamie Pyatt News Ltd
Wendy’s charity is asking for donations to help their rescue work - visit http://www.justgiving.com/swansupport
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Wendy’s charity is asking for donations to help their rescue work - visit http://www.justgiving.com/swansupportCredit: Jamie Pyatt News Ltd
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