West Ham footballer Kurt Zouma has been given 180 hours of community service after admitting kicking and slapping a cat.
The defender was filmed attacking the pet in his kitchen in his London home.
The clip went viral and Zouma was arrested three months ago.
The Frenchman, 27, was filmed by his brother, Yoan, kicking, slapping, and throwing the cat around the room.
It was posted on Snapchat by Yoan just moments after it happened.
Zouma admitted two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal at Thames Magistrates’ Court last week.
He was given 180 hours of community service and has been banned from keeping pets for five years.
Yoan was sentenced to 140 hours of community service and also handed a five-year pet.
The court was told the cat suffered with “fear and anxiety” following the horrible incident.
Prosecutor Hazel Stevens said Zouma could be heard on tape shouting “I swear I’ll kill it; I swear I’ll kill it”
Ms Stevens said the 40-second video appeared to have been filmed after a chair was damaged by the pet.
Ms Stevens said: “Kurt Zouma is determined to chastise or carry out some sort of retribution for the damage caused.
District judge Susan Holdham said the abuse was “disgraceful, reprehensible and gratuitous” and for the brothers’ “own amusement”.
Ms Holdham added:
“You both took part in this disgraceful and reprehensible incident with this pet cat.
“Kurt, you were the owner of the two cats, you kicked and slapped either the same one or both of the cats – it’s not clear to tell from the footage whether it was the same or different cat.
“That cat looked to you to care for its needs.
“On that date in February you did not provide for its needs, but you caused unnecessary suffering for your own amusement.
“These offences have been committed by you when you are a public figure and you must be aware lots of people look up to you and many young people aspire to emulate you.”
The judge also ordered Zouma to pay the RSPCA’s prosecution costs, which total over £8,000 and both brothers will pay a £95 victim surcharge.
A West Ham United spokesperson 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.
“Kurt admitted at the earliest opportunity that what he did was wrong.
“He has apologised without reservation.
“We hope that now the court has reached its decision, everyone will allow Kurt the chance to learn from his mistake and move on.”
