Schoolboys, 11 and 12, charged after ‘animals killed during break-in at college’
TWO schoolboys have been charged after a number of animals were killed during a break-in at a college.
The boys, aged 11 and 12, were held after the alleged burglary at Capel Manor College's Gunnersbury Park campus in London.
Police confirmed "several" animals had been killed and enclosures damaged following the incident last month.
The boys have now been charged with two counts of burglary and one count of animal cruelty.
They are due to appear at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court tomorrow.
Capel Manor College branded the break-in a "terrible episode" as it confirmed barn owl Shiraz had escaped.
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The animal was later recovered at a warehouse near Heathrow Airport.
Capel Manor describes itself as "London's environmental college" and offers young people and adults the opportunity to help take care of its estates, gardens, farm and zoos.
The campus in West London was shut following the burglary but has since re-opened.
Principal Peter Brammall said at the time: "This has been a terrible episode and my thanks go out to the dedicated team of staff who worked tirelessly over Sunday and Monday to deal with and restore the devastation left by the intruders.
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"Our campus is now back open, student lessons are back on track and the team is working with our partners to bring in new animals over the next few weeks to replace those that were sadly lost."
Anyone with information can call police on 101 quoting the reference CAD 1639/25Feb.