D’Acampo and Manning face charges over rat

I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here winner Gino D’Acampo and Stuart Manning face charges of animal cruelty after cooking and eating a rat while in the jungle.

The RSPCA in New South Wales, Australia, said it was “not acceptable” that a rat had been killed by the pair as part of a performance.

Police confirmed they had issued court attendance notices for 3 February 2010. 

The pair ate the rat after they were “exiled”, with only rations of rice and beans to eat.

Gino told the Bush Telegraph: “I saw one of these rats running around. I got a knife, I got its throat, I picked it up.”

Ch Insp David Oshannessy, from the RSPCA in New South Wales, told BBC Radio 5 live there was a “code of practice” which dictated how animals could be used in theatrical productions and films.

“The killing of a rat for a performance is not acceptable. The concern is this was done purely for the cameras,” he said.

A spokesman added: “Police from Murwillumbah yesterday issued field court attendance notices to two men aged 30 and 33 for the offence of animal cruelty.

“They are due to attend court at Murwillumbah local court on 3 February 2010.”