An Orlando Pirates security guard who kicked a black cat in front of about 50 000 spectators at the FNB stadium in May was yesterday sentenced in the Johannesburg District Court to a R4 000 fine or four months in jail.

Boikie Raphela, 42, of Soweto, was also sentenced to 1 200 hours of community service and a further six month's jail suspended for five years on condition he was not cruel to animals.

Magistrate P Dyson said he wanted to pass a sentence that would serve as a deterrent.

Animal Anti-Cruelty League inspector Denton Infield, who was in charge of investigating Raphela's case, said the sentence was fairly typical of those handed down in recent months.

"The sentences are getting harsher because magistrates feel that where violence towards animals exists, then violence towards children is often not far behind," Mr Infield said.

- Argus Correspondent.