Video: Man swallows whole goldfish in McDonald’s


Robert Atkinson, 20, was filmed in a McDonald’s at Wakefield as he placed the fish in a glass of beer before downing the drink and laughing, saying: “I’m an animal.”
Lewis Summers, 19, shot footage of Atkinson buying the fish in a Pets at Home store
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdOn the video, which was played at Wakefield Magistrates’ Court, Atkinson tells pet store staff: “I’m going to call he Demitri. I want a nice big one, we are going to eat it.”


The film, then cuts to Atkinson sat in McDonald’s on Ings Road, Wakefield, where he puts the fish in a glass of beer and swallows it.
Atkinson laughs and says to diners: “Thanks for the Neknomination, this is a goldfish in beer. That’s fish and chips boys. I’ve got a goldfish inside me, I’m an animal.”
The court heard the pair shared the film with friends on Facebook.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdProsecutor, Andrew Davidson for the RSPCA, said the incident was reported by a concerned member of the public who saw the video on Facebook. Mr Davidson said: “The video speaks for itself.”
Atkinson of Buttermere Croft, Walton, Wakefield, admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal. Summers, of Wrangbrook Road, Upton, admitted aiding and abetting the causing of unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.
John Wilkinson, mitigating for both men, said: “Neither defendant realised it was a criminal offence.”
Deputy district judge Richard Clews sentenced Atkinson and Summers to 12-month community orders plus 40 hours unpaid work each.
The pair must each pay £723 court costs.