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

On 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.

Prosecutor, 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.