ANIMAL lover Caroline Osborne has spoken of her "devastation" after cherished pet rabbit Joshua was stolen by two drunks who hurled it on to a railway line.

The animal survived the abuse but was so badly injured it had to be destroyed.

Caroline's guinea pigs Peanut and Elija-May, which were also stolen from Mrs Osborne's garden shed in Fareham were found in a better state when police arrested the offenders.

Magistrates handed 21-year-old Daniel Davenport, of Nashe Way, Fareham, a four-month suspended prison sentence for burglary and animal cruelty after he admitted his part in the attack.

An accomplice, aged 15, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was given a 24-hour attendance centre order and ordered to pay £90 in compensation after pleading guilty to the same charges.

Both defendants have been banned from owning animals for five years.

Mrs Osborne said: "It's just mind-boggling."