LONDON: Kurt Zouma, the France and West Ham defender, has been ordered by a court to undertake 180 hours of community service after admitting two offences of kicking and slapping his cat. Zouma, 27, has also been barred from keeping cats for five years at Thames Magistrates’ Court.

The incident last month came to light after the incident was posted on social media by his brother, Yoan. The latter, who plays for Dagenham and Redbridge, was ordered to carry out 140 hours of community service after admitting aiding and abetting.

District Judge Susan Holdham said: “Both of you took part in this disgraceful and reprehensible act with this pet cat.

“The cat looked up to you to care for its needs. On that date in February you did not provide for its needs. You must be aware that others look up to you and many young people aspire to emulate you.”

The video showed Kurt Zouma kicking the Bengal cat across his kitchen, before throwing a pair of shoes at it and slapping its head, while the video also showed him saying “I swear I’ll kill it”.

He was also told to pay court costs of nearly £9,000 in addition to the 12-month community order.

The case was brought after an RSPCA investigation.

A West Ham statement said the club hoped Zouma could “learn from his mistake and move on.”

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his mistake and move on.”

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