Former bouncer whose friend filmed him drunkenly swallowing a live goldfish in 'neknominate'-style challenge and put the video on Facebook is spared jail 

• Daniel Challis, 24, had been on a night out with his friends in Paignton, Devon
• He then picked up a goldfish and placed it in his mouth after drinking five pints 
• Challis was convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal

A former bouncer who drunkenly swallowed a live goldfish in a 'neknominate'-style challenge has been spared jail.

Daniel Challis, 24, was filmed gulping down the pet after he drank five pints during drinking session above a pub in Paignton, Devon.

His friend Cheryle Stevens, 27, recorded it and posted the cruel video on Facebook, Plymouth Magistrates' Court heard. 

The court was told that their actions were 'stupid' and 'impulsive' and that there was 'only one outcome for the fish'.  

The pair had both denied causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal claiming they believed the pet was already dead.

But they were convicted at an earlier hearing and Stevens and Challis, a timber merchant, were today handed hefty fines and suspended prison terms.

Magistrate Penny Kingsley-Smith said: 'This offence was a stupid, impulsive act, done in drink - which was a group activity - and there was only one outcome for this fish.

'However you have been remorseful and realised serious the situation is.'

The incident happened last March, when Challis, of Torquay, drank the fish from a pint glass during a heavy drinking session.

He carried out the 'neknominate' challenge - a craze which took the internet by storm - after him and his friends thought it would be a 'funny thing to do.'

Challis later claimed he believed the fish was dead.

Magistrates heard his friend Stevens, of Paignton, filmed the incident and put it on Facebook but took it down following complaints.

But before it was removed, the RSPCA came across the footage and launched a prosecution.

Speaking on behalf of the RSPCA, Lindi Meyer, said: 'It must be noted that there was only one outcome for the fish.

'It was also an alcohol induced incident - I believe he had five pints before swallowing the fish.'

Defending the pair, Anthony Gilles said: 'He [Challis] was seeking to gain favour and impress the only thee people in that room.

'He didn't want it on Facebook. When Mr Challis found out it was on Facebook he asked for it to be taken down.

'It was clearly a stupid thing to do and they both accept how stupid it was.

'Neither of them back on March 18 could've imagined the consequences that would come from that 30 seconds of madness.' 

The pair were both handed 18-week prison sentences, suspended for 12 months and ordered to pay fines of £1,224.24 each.

They were also ordered to do 200 hours of unpaid community work and banned from keeping fish for five years.

Speaking after the case, RSPCA Inspector Jo Pearson said: 'The goldfish was clearly alive in the footage and would have suffered an unpleasant death.'