Teenage boys who filmed themselves throwing a lamb down a stone staircase inside a 15-metre high tower at a popular beauty spot have been sentenced.

The pair, who can not be named for legal reasons, were each given a nine month referral order after admitting animal cruelty.

One video shared online shows a lamb being thrown down a number of steps within the 52-step spiral staircase inside the 15 metre high St Michael's Town in Montacute.

Another video clip showed one young man throwing a different lamb over a stone wall.

When interviewed, the pair also admitted other incidents including spinning a lamb around and dropping it head first to the ground, tripping lambs up to make them fall over, throwing a lamb in the air and dropping it on its stomach, kicking the legs from under lambs, and placing a lamb inside a tree guard while its distressed mother cried out.

Clips showing lambs being mistreated were shared on social media, prompting an investigation and prosecution by the RSPCA.

A vet, who watched the footage shared by the boys as part of the animal welfare charity’s investigation, described how the lamb would have felt pain, fear and distress.

In their statement to the court, the vet said: “Judging by the speed at which the lamb was moving it must have to have been thrown with considerable force.”

The lamb was propelled headfirst and initially landed with its front legs stretched out forwards. With the momentum, the lamb somersaulted in an arc and next landed on its head and face with its left shoulder colliding with the next step up. It continued to somersault and next landed on its belly with its front legs on one step up and its hind limbs on the next step down. The momentum took the lamb backwards where it collided into the wall with its back.

Although it’s not known what happened to the lamb after the filming ended, the vet said it was possible the incident left the lamb with limb fractures, spine fracture, head and neck fractures, concussion or another brain injury, facial fracture, internal organ rupture or damage, and muscle and skin bruising or damage.

The vet added: “It is my professional opinion that the pain, suffering and injuries to the lambs were caused deliberately. The suffering of these poor animals was completely unnecessary, and sadly, the purpose of the actions of these youths was their entertainment.”

A spokesperson for the RSPCA said: “Just like us, animals feel pain, distress and fear. Every animal deserves kindness and respect and a life safe from mistreatment.”