Outside court minutes after the hearing, Matthew Clement Maloney, 25, defended his actions as not "that bad", saying "there's a lot worse you could have done".

Magistrate Suzette Coates refused to watch the distressing video of the rat's death, filmed and uploaded to the "Mad Matts vids" Facebook page in January, as Maloney pleaded guilty to one charge of animal cruelty.

When the video attracted widespread outrage, Maloney defended the killing on his page, saying:

"This is for all the butt hurt people out there having a cry about what i did!

"That rat in the video was a feeder rat and was always going to die.

"I fed the body to my snake after the video and it wasnt wasted (I like to share).

Magistrate Coates said the behaviour was not excusable and that people who watched the video could think he was "nothing but a silly idiot".

"There's nothing that really indicates that this behaviour is suitable," she said.

"There's nothing that indicates that the behaviour is manly. There's nothing that indicates that it is admirable.

"It indicates that it's rabid, narcissistic, attention-seeking behaviour on your behalf.

"Well you've got the attention and it's probably attention you wish you didn't get now."

Magistrate Coates recorded a conviction and ordered Maloney to serve 100 hours of community service and pay $89.90 in court costs.

The order took into account his prior history in the ACT for obstructing police and an assault defence solicitor Nick Dore described as a nightclub fight.

It also took into account Maloney's plea of guilty and the remorse Mr Dore said his client felt.

Outside court after the sentencing, which included a three-year pet ownership ban, Maloney played down the seriousness of his actions.

"I agree with the court's decision but I just think, I don't think it was that bad," he said.

"There's a lot worse stuff you could have done, buy rat poison and all that stuff, rat traps.

"So I just don't think it was how they made it out to be."

In discussing the penalty, Mr Dore said his client had received ridicule and embarrassment as a result of filming the killing and uploading it to Facebook as part of an escalating series of video pranks, prompting Magistrate Coates to cut in.

"Well so he should, Mr Dore," she said.

"Ridicule and embarrassment."

The act came after Maloney had broken up with his girlfriend and been diagnosed, operated on and effectively given the all clear for melanoma, Mr Dore said.

"His immediate reaction wasn't one of someone who took the matter very seriously," the solicitor admitted.

"He posted the comments on Facebook in relation to his conduct but since then and having been before the courts he's realised just how serious it is."

Also outside court, RSPCA senior prosecutor Georgia Sakrzewski said the organisation was "really pleased" with the outcome.

Below is a transcript of what Maloney said to the media outside court.

Maloney: I agree with the court's decision but I just think ... I don't think it was that bad but ah, there's a lot worse stuff you could have done, buy rat poison and all that stuff, rat traps. So I just don't think it was how they made it out to be.

Reporter: Do you understand the rat would have been in a lot of pain though? Do you feel bad about that?

Maloney: Who said it was in a lot of pain?

Reporter: The RSPCA.

Maloney: They said it was in 29 seconds of pain. I don't think - I don't know how they could have proven that when they test on rats all the time.

Reporter: So you say you're remorseful but you don't think it's that bad?

Maloney: I'm remorseful, like I wish it never happened and all that stuff but yeah.

Reporter: Are you remorseful because you've suffered or because the rat suffered?

Maloney: I just think there's a lot of stuff. Well, rats are killed all the time for testing and all that stuff and the rat was already going to die but yeah I'm just glad it's all over now.

Reporter: The magistrate said you were narcissistic. Do you agree?

Maloney: Nah um, ah, it's all good. I'm going now.

Reporter: Do you think you'll still make videos?

Maloney: Nah, no more. It's all done.

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