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.
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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.
“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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