Woman beheaded her pet snakes 'because she feared she would be made homeless'

Jennifer Lampe admits to animal cruelty charge after killing a boa constrictor and a bull python (contains graphic images)

Jennifer Lampe was discovered by police with a decapitated boa constrictor around her neck (PA)

A woman who beheaded her two pet snakes after arming herself with scissors and a knife has admitted an animal cruelty charge.

Jennifer Lampe, 28, was discovered by police with a decapitated but moving boa constrictor around her neck and her reptiles' severed heads in her pockets.

Telford Magistrates' Court in Shropshire was told Lampe killed the two-metre boa constrictor and a bull python because she feared she was set to be made homeless and would be unable to look after them.

Lampe, of Market Drayton, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to the snakes "by doing an act, namely cutting their heads off" contrary to the 2006 Animal Welfare Act.

Opening the facts of the case against Lampe, RSPCA prosecutor Roger Price told the court she committed the offence at her sister's house in Church Stretton, Shropshire, after drinking seven cans of lager and shots of amaretto and whisky.

Mr Price told magistrates: "I strongly suspect you are going to want (pre-sentence) reports.

"This is a case where two snakes owned by the defendant were killed by her and you will hear evidence that these snakes have suffered in the process."

The court heard Lampe had lived with her sister since May last year and killed the snakes because she feared she was no longer welcome to live at her address.

Lampe was found with her reptiles' severed heads in her pockets (PA)

Mr Price added that the defendant's dislike of her sister's boyfriend had caused friction between them, which "came to a head" on April 8.

"She became very hysterical about the situation," Mr Price told the court. "She went into the kitchen and took scissors out of the kitchen drawer, and a knife, and retreated to her bedroom, where she kept the two snakes."

Lampe's sister, who was not named in court, then went to see her sibling, saw blood, and took the view that she and her boyfriend should leave the property.

The pair of scissors used by Lampe to behead her pets (PA)

Mr Price continued: "The police then arrived and found the defendant with the boa constrictor around her neck. It was still moving but it was missing its head.

"The bull python had also been decapitated and was still in her bedroom."

During a police interview, Lampe said she thought she had "got to the point where she was going to be asked to leave" her sister's address.

Lampe was granted unconditional bail to return for sentence on August 18.

Press Association