Two children charged after animals killed in college break-in

A barn owl called Shiraz escaped but has since been recovered

Capel Manor College’s image of missing barn owl, Shiraz (Capel Manor College/PA Wire)

Two children have been charged over an alleged burglary at an environmental college during which a number of animals died.

The boys, aged 11 and 12, are due to appear at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court today accused of two counts of burglary and one count of animal cruelty.

A break-in was reported at Capel Manor College in Gunnersbury Park, west London on 25 February, during which staff said that animals had been killed and enclosures damaged.

A barn owl called Shiraz escaped but has since been recovered at a warehouse near Heathrow Airport and is being cared for at the college’s Enfield campus.

Anyone with information can call police on 101 quoting the reference CAD 1639/25Feb.