A WINNERSH man has been spared prison after he was found guilty of killing a Dachshund puppy and a Sphynx kitten.

Joshua Sharpe of Delane Drive, Winnersh, had denied two counts of failing to ensure the needs of an animal were met.

However, following a summary trial at Reading Magistrates' Court on November 30, 2021, the 25-year-old was found guilty on both counts.

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The court heard how Sharpe had killed a dachshund puppy called Spark at an address in Southampton on December 7, 2020.

He was charged for failing to meet its need to be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease due to infliction of blunt force trauma and physical violence.

A year later on January 23, 2021, a Sphynx kitten called Peppa was found injured at an address in Yateley.

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The 25-year-old was also found guilty for 'failing to meet its need to be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease due to the infliction of blunt force trauma and physical violence."

At a sentencing hearing on Friday, March 4, Sharpe was handed a 24-week prison sentence suspended for 22 months.

This means he was free to walk away from court but will be jailed if he commits another offence in the next 22 months.