Kurt Zouma to face ban and community service over ‘reprehensible’ cat attack
- Seb Sternik
- 1 June 2022
West Ham star Kurt Zouma has been ordered to serve 180 hours of community service after kicking and slapping his pet in a disturbing home video posted on Snapchat.
As well as community service, Zouma has been banned from keeping cats for five years.
The 27-year-old showed no emotion as he was handed the sentence by district judge Susan Holdham at the Thames Magistrates' Court in east London.
Zouma drew international outrage after footage emerged of him volleying his pet across the room, before throwing a pair of shoes in its direction and slapping its head.
Ms Holdham described Zouma's actions as "disgraceful and reprehensible".
She added: "The cat looked up 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."
Zouma pleaded guilty to two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a cat, after blaming the pet for damaging a chair.
A spokesman at West Ham said the club hopes "everyone will allow Kurt the chance to learn from his mistake and move on".
Since the incident, Zouma's two male Bengal cats have been signed over in order to be rehomed.
The court was told that the "premeditated" attack was filmed by the brother of the West Ham star, Yoan Zouma.
The 24-year-old, who is a lower-league footballer, sent the video to a woman he was due to go on a date with.
However, the woman was shocked by the footage and told the Frenchman: "I don't think hitting a cat like that is OK - don't bother coming today."
Yoan admitted to one count of aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring his old brother to commit an offence.
Sentencing the pair, the district judge said: "Both of you took part in this disgraceful and reprehensible act with this pet cat.
"You must be aware that others look up to you and many young people aspire to emulate you."
Kurt Zouma was told to pay court costs of nearly £9,000, while his brother was ordered to carry out 140 hours of community service.
