An man who microwaved his 'favourite' hamster to death was jailed for nine weeks today.

Anthony Parker, 29, was also banned from keeping animals for five years after he admitted putting his pet in the cooker following a drunken row with his girlfriend.

The court heard he told officers: 'I didn't mean to kill her. She was the best hamster I ever had. She was called Suzie.'

Parker, an unemployed construction worker, shook his head as he was led away from the dock at Hartlepool Magistrates' Court in handcuffs.

Chairman of the bench Barbara Sutherland told him the starting point had been 12 weeks but that was reduced to nine because of his guilty plea.

'You will serve half in prison and the rest on licence,' she told him.

Parker, of Hartlepool, Teesside, admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a Syrian hamster by microwaving it, resulting in its death.

Neil Taylor, prosecuting, said the animal had been killed in a cruel way.

Parker had been drinking all day and when his girlfriend came home, on February 23, they rowed.

The defendant told police he had not meant to kill Suzie, but admitted putting her in the cooker. He later said he had no recollection of events.


Parker, an unemployed construction worker, shook his head as he was led away from the dock at Hartlepool Magistrates' Court in handcuffs


Microwaved: A Syrian hamster like this one was killed after it was put in the cooker

Officers found Suzie in a green wheelie bin outside.

'It was clear the hamster died in agony,' Mr Taylor said.

The animal's lips were burned and its eyes were opaque.

A post-mortem examination showed Suzie had been exposed to microwave radiation.

Mr Taylor said the hamster would have tried to get away from the source of the radiation which was heating her internal cells, but of course she could not.

'Death finally occurs when the brain is over-heated or the heart muscles stop functioning,' he said.

Parker initially denied the offence on legal advice because his confession to police was made when he was very drunk, the court heard.

He changed his plea by letter before today's hearing.

Adrian Morris, defending, said his client had previous convictions for drink-driving and a public order offence which happened six years ago.

There was nothing on his record linked to cruelty, Mr Morris said.

'He effectively comes before this court a man of good character.'

He said Suzie's death would have been rapid and the 'cruelty and suffering were not prolonged'.

Mr Taylor responded: 'This is a man so drunk he puts a hamster into a microwave and kills it.'

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1314255/Man-microwaved-favourite-hamster-jailed-9-weeks.html

►	Anonymous 09/22/10(Wed)12:39 No.254703     File: 128518439656.jpg-(19.51KB, 400x311, Special_Patrol_Group1.jpg) I found a picture of the hamster, guys.

►	Anonymous 09/22/10(Wed)16:38 No.254738     File: 128519871895.jpg-(18.45KB, 216x156, rick.jpg) >>254703 I think Special Patrol Group is a stupid name for a hamster

►	Anonymous 09/22/10(Wed)16:39 No.254739     File: 128519877021.jpg-(16.23KB, 256x224, maniac mansion.jpg) I think this is probably where he got the idea.