Teen tried to strangle woman and killed hamster

A teenager who tried to strangle a woman and killed her pet hamster has been given a custodial sentence of nearly three years.

Max Roberts, of Eastfield Road, Peterborough, attacked the woman while she was sitting on a bed playing Xbox.

Police said the 18-year-old elbowed her to the face, attempted to strangle her, and chased her into the kitchen where he punched and kicked her face and body.

At Cambridge Crown Court on Friday, he was given a 32-month term at a Young Offenders Institution.

Det Cons Joshua Crown said: "Roberts behaved despicably, aiming to inflict the most emotional pain possible by killing the victim's hamster."

Cambridgeshire Police said the victim was forced to hand over her mobile phone and keys to Roberts following the attack on 25 November.

The force said that after targeting the hamster and kicking the cage of a second hamster - causing it to shatter - he then told her he would "kill everything she loves".

He eventually left the property and sent a message claiming he would "be back to finish her off", police said.

Roberts admitted intentional strangulation, causing criminal damage to property, failing to prevent the causing of unnecessary suffering to an animal and causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.

He was also issued with a restraining order not to contact the victim and not to visit any address where she may be staying or visiting.

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