ABERDEEN TEENS YASMIN DOCHERTY AND FRANKIE-JANE KANE SENTENCED OVER ANIMAL ABUSE INCIDENT

In 2019, Frankie Jane Kane, born on July 3, 1999, of Printfield Walk, Woodside, Aberdeen AB24, and Yasmin Docherty, also known as Yasmin Walker, born circa 2000 and residing at Marischal Court, Castlehill, Aberdeen AB11, were convicted of a disturbing animal cruelty act. The pair filmed themselves mistreating an escaped boa constrictor named Esmerelda in the street.

Kane and Docherty shared grotesque videos on Snapchat showing their abusive behavior towards the snake. Kane was seen hurling Esmerelda approximately 10 feet across an Aberdeen street, while Docherty swung the reptile above her head. The footage, recorded in the early hours of July 4, 2018, depicted Esmerelda writhing painfully, which ignited widespread outrage on social media.

Kane later admitted to causing the snake unnecessary suffering, including throwing her, while Docherty also pleaded guilty. Docherty further admitted to spinning the snake around, which caused injury.

According to fiscal depute Rebecca Clark, the snake’s owner, who had kept Esmerelda for three years in an enclosure in his bedroom, had noticed her missing but initially assumed she was elsewhere in the house. At around 3 a.m., the two accused found the snake outside the Marischal Court flats. Both were intoxicated at the time, and Docherty began filming the incident on her phone and posting the videos on Snapchat. Kane then lifted the snake and hurled her several feet across the road. The footage showed Esmerelda moving in distress, with Docherty commenting “it’s real” before spinning her around and then tossing her.

A passer-by intervened and handed Esmerelda to police, who subsequently transferred her to the Scottish SPCA. Veterinarians observed the snake regurgitating blood and appearing to convulse in pain. The chief inspector described her as writhing in agony, coughing blood, and clearly dying. Due to internal injuries, the decision was made to humanely euthanize Esmerelda.

Kane’s solicitor claimed she initially believed the snake was fake, stating, “She thought it was a fake snake, but quickly became aware it was real after picking it up and hearing it hiss.” He added, “She should have placed it on the ground but she threw the snake through the air.”

Defense lawyer Tony Burgess noted that Docherty lost her job following the incident and faced difficulties returning to employment, acknowledging her conduct as “completely reprehensible.” He also suggested that some injuries may have resulted from a fall when the snake escaped her home from a height.

Sheriff Aitken expressed limited sympathy for the teenagers, remarking that their actions were “nobody’s fault but their own” and emphasizing that abuse of animals is widely condemned. He hoped their behavior stemmed from “drunken stupidity” rather than a flaw in character.

While the Scottish SPCA welcomed the sentencing, they expressed disappointment that no order was made to prevent Kane and Docherty from owning pets in the future. Scottish SPCA chief inspector John Carle commented, “Although we are pleased with the sentence, we are disappointed a ban was not also imposed. Kane and Docherty caused cruel and unnecessary suffering to Esmerelda, which ultimately contributed to her death. Treating any animal cruelty this way is despicable.”

In sentencing, Kane was ordered to complete 80 hours of unpaid work within six months, and Docherty was ordered to complete 120 hours. However, neither was prohibited from keeping animals.