A GOLD Coast man who filmed himself torturing rats by pouring boiling water on them and stabbing them has been sentenced to 120 days in prison.

Ryan Frank Geaghan, 24, was sentenced on four charges of animal cruelty.

The sentences were ordered to be served concurrently.

However he was released immediately because of time already served. He was also prohibited from owning animals for a period of five years.

"There is no doubt Magistrate O'Driscoll took this very seriously indeed and thankfully that has been reflected in the sentence," said RSPCA Qld's Chief Inspector of Prosecutions Annabel Buchanan.

"We believe Geaghan's behaviour and acts of cruelty were particularly disturbing."

The court heard that Geaghan trapped the rats in a box at his place of work and poured boiling water over them between June 22-23, 2010.

The rats that survived were then repeatedly stabbed with a sharp metal implement.

Magistrate O'Driscoll commented that Geaghan's conduct was immature, inexcusable, unacceptable and deplorable and of concern to the Court and the community.

He noted that the video was particularly disturbing and that a sentence of imprisonment was the only appropriate penalty for this offence and to ensure that the standards of the community are maintained in relation to caring for all animals.

Ms Buchanan said Geaghan filmed the acts on his smart phone and a voice is heard making numerous chilling comments including, "People say I'm evil. I'm evil Knievel."

"You like that boiling water bro?'' and ``I can't get enough of the squishin'''.

The rats could be heard squealing in pain and suffered a very slow death.

This offence occurred prior to the increase in the penalty for animal cruelty introduced by the State Government in September 2013.