Two teenaged boys have been sent to young offender institutions after shooting dead two Shetland ponies belonging to a nursing home in Whitchurch, Shropshire.
Daniel Walker, 18, of Dodington, Whitchurch, and a 15-year-old youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were sentenced on 19 February at Shrewsbury Crown Court.
Both had admitted carrying a firearm with intent to commit criminal damage and unlawfully carrying a firearm with ammunition in a public place.
The 15-year-old had also admitted entering a property in Whitchurch and stealing firearms.
The ponies were shot at Edgeley House Nursing and Residential Home between May 3 and 4, 2008.
Walker was sentenced to four years in a young offender institution and the youth was ordered to serve a minimum of two years in custody.
The judge told the youth he seemed to take “a sadistic pleasure” from the animals’ suffering.
