A FARMER has been banned for 10 years from keeping livestock after dead and starving sheep were found in his field.

David James Alex Huggins of Clifford’s Mesne, Newent, admitted animal cruelty charges and was sentenced to 16 weeks in prison suspended for 18 months, plus 200 hours of unpaid work.

The 26-year-old must also pick up the court costs bill of £2,000 and pay a victim surcharge of £115.

Cheltenham magistrates heard that at least eight sheep carcasses were found when trading standards officers from Gloucestershire’s Animal Health service responded to a complaint at Grubs Patch Orchard, Clifford’s Mesne, last August.

Another 90 sheep were in poor condition, and three were so weak they had to be put down to prevent further suffering. A post-mortem examination showed that they had chronic malnutrition and severe parasitic gastroenteritis.

One lamb also had fly-strike of the foot, caused by wounds becoming infested with maggots.

The grazing pasture was bare and sheep were seen feeding on thistles and bracken as no supplementary feed had been provided. The only source of drinking water was contaminated by a decomposing sheep carcass.

Officers seized the animals and removed them to receive care and attention.

Huggins pleaded guilty to 11 animal welfare charges, including three of causing unnecessary suffering to sheep.

He also admitted failing in his duty of care to ensure the welfare of 90 sheep; failing to dispose of at least eight sheep carcasses; failing to keep them covered to prevent animals having access to them; failing to report sheep movements to the animal movement licensing service; and failing to report a cattle death within seven days.

Andy Hermiston, Gloucestershire County Council head of trading standards, said: “I hope this case serves as a warning to others. When advice is not heeded and animals are found to be neglected and suffering, we will not hesitate to prosecute.”

Trading standards officers had worked with David Huggins previously to give the sheep the proper level of care required, but he failed to act.

A court hearing last September heard animals had been so hungry, they had even been forced to eat the leaves off apple trees. A vet found that the surviving sheep were in very poor condition and at risk of harm from contamination from the decomposing carcasses.

Magistrates were told that Mr Huggins had told officers they were only kept ‘as a hobby’ and that he and his mother were thinking of getting rid of them.