These CCTV images led to the boys being arrested

The actions of Ryan Jones and Kieron Anslow, both 11, and two other boys aged nine and 10 were "unforgivable", Dudley Youth Court was told.

The nine-year-old boy escaped prosecution because of his age.

The judge lifted a restriction banning the naming of the two 11-year-olds because of the deterrent effect it would have.

Referral orders

Jones, Anslow and the 10-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted causing unnecessary suffering to the wallabies on 21 April.

The pair also admitted "barbaric" offences against the animals on 5 May.

The three youngsters were given 12 month referral orders on Thursday and District Judge Michael Morris also ordered the parents of all three defendants to pay a total of �1,100 in compensation to Dudley Zoo.

The court heard that on 21 April Jones, Anslow and the 10-year-old entered the enclosure at the zoo by climbing over a hut after it had closed.

They chased the marsupials around until they "looked sad" and were breathing heavily but denied kicking them.

Boxes were also used to try and catch them, the court was told.

All three went into that enclosure in April intent on having what they describe as fun, but which was in fact the most serious form of cruelty District Judge Michael Morris

One wallaby suffered a broken leg in the incident was later put down.

The court was also told how on 5 May Jones and Anslow returned to the zoo, with the nine year old again to chase the animals.

On this occasion, one of the three threw a five-month-old wallaby into a nearby pond, in what was said to be an attempt to wash it.

The animal later died from shock.

The defendants and the nine-year-old were apprehended after they were caught on CCTV cameras entering the enclosure on May 5.

"The behaviour of all three boys in unforgivable. Peer pressure is no excuse," said District Judge Michael Morris.

"All three went into that enclosure in April intent on having what they describe as fun, but which was in fact the most serious form of cruelty."

The offences, particularly the barbarity of the second incident involving Anslow and Jones, had offended many people, he added.

"I believe there is a risk of them reoffending and it's right in their case to lift the restrictions."