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A cruel joker proudly poses for the camera - as he downs a live goldfish for the drinking game NekNominate.

Gavin Hope was condemned by courts today as he became the first successful RSPCA prosecution for cruelty in relation to the online drinking game.

Gormless Hope, 22, shows off for the camera, mixing Stella Artois lager, chilli, tequila, a fresh egg, then fish food in a pint glass before boasting to a pal: 'And this is what it's for'.

He then produces the goldfish with a flourish, swallowing it whole seconds before he downs the booze cocktail.

Magistrates heard the unnamed goldfish would have suffered in Hope's stomach as a result of oxygen starvation before it died.

Hope - due to start a career with the armed forces this year - was fined £300 fine, and ordered to pay an additional £30 victim charge and £431.17 in costs after admitting failing to protect his pet from pain, suffering, injury or disease by drinking it.

Judith Curry, prosecuting for the RSPCA, said: "This case involves what is part of an online drinking game called Neknomination.

"It originally started in Australia and has since spread to this country where there has been unusual and outlandish acts.

"Unfortunately they are now starting to involve animals as well."

A report by vet David Martin showed the fish was in a "totally unsuitable environment" in Hope's stomach.

"There would have been insufficient oxygen for the fish in the pint glass, then lager and other drinks once swallowed would have resulted in reduced oxygen and led to the fish suffocating," she added.

"The fish was caused to suffer as a consequence of Mr Hope swallowing the fish alive."

The incident happened at his home in Gateshead, on the January 31 this year, and was posted on Facebook two days later, when the RSPCA was alerted.

Hope claimed that it looked like the fish was dying as had been swimming on its side.

Rachel Mangenie, mitigating, said: "Mr Hope does not have previous conviction. Clearly this was a very foolish thing for him to do.

"He is a young man aged 22 who has never appeared inside the courts before. He is extremely ashamed of himself. He is genuinely remorseful and apologetic. He accepts this type of behaviour is absolutely unacceptable.

"Neknomination is something which has been doing the rounds on social media and he is not the first person to find himself investigated by the RSCPA for this type of offence."

She described it as an 'impulsive act' and said procedures had given Mr Hope a 'short, sharp, shock'.

Hope is due to start a career with the armed forces as a royal engineer in September. She added: "This was an act of stupidity, he has a young son who he is trying to get regular contact with he wants to put this behind him.

"No one is trying to minimise the effect on the gold fish but he has not made that gold fish suffer for a long period."

JP David Randall said: "We consider this to be a thoughtless, stupid incident."

Speaking after the case, RSPCA chief inspector Michelle Charlton said: "He picks up another glass containing a small amount of water and the goldfish, which is swimming around, and shows it to the camera before drinking it down, following it with the pint.

"Eating a live animal and posting a video of it online for entertainment is not some light-hearted joke, it is unacceptable.

"We urge people not to involve animals in this horrible craze and to report it if they see it."

* RSPCA cruelty line 0300 1234 999.