Two farmers from Troon have been banned from keeping poultry and horses and ordered to pay costs of £10,000 after a string of animal cruelty offences.

Janet Carter, 63, of Newton Moor, Troon, Camborne, and Trevor Hampton, 52, of Edward Street, Camborne, were prosecuted after a joint investigation by the Animal and Plant Health Agency and Cornwall Council, with assistance from the RSPCA.

In October last year the pair pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a pony, to failing in their duty of care to cattle and to failing in their duty of care to pigs.

District Judge Diana Baker then deferred sentencing for six months to allow Miss Carter and Mr Hampton to improve the conditions on the farm.

However, in December last year and February this year, further offences were discovered by Cornwall Council animal health inspectors.

Last Tuesday (July 10, 2018) Miss Carter pleaded guilty to failing to give poultry dry bedding, to failing to provide ducks with water, to allowing poultry access to dangerous objects, and to failing to care for an emaciated sheep.

Mr Hampton pleaded guilty to allowing cattle, sheep, horses and pigs access to scrap and other dangerous objects.

District Judge Baker sentenced Janet Carter to 12 weeks custody and Trevor Hampton to ten weeks custody, both suspended for one year.

The pair were also banned from keeping poultry and horses for 10 years, and refused permission to apply to lift the ban for five years.

Miss Carter was ordered to pay £7,000 and Mr Hampton £3,000 towards the council's costs.

Stuart Benson, Cornwall Council’s head of business standards and registration said “It is regrettable that prosecution action had to be taken in this case against two farmers based in the Duchy.

“However, Miss Carter and Mr Hampton were prosecuted in 2014 and, despite many attempts by the relevant agencies to advise them, they have continued to fail in the provision of the most basic needs of their animals.

“Consequently there was no credible option but to prosecute them again. I want to stress, however, that this situation is not typical of the high standards of farm animal welfare normally upheld by farmers in Cornwall.”

Sue James, Cornwall Council Cabinet Member for Environment and Public Protection said: “Cornwall Council officers work to assist farmers, small holders and businesses across Cornwall in complying with the relevant legislation.

“However, where we find repeated non-compliance and a complete disregard for farm animal welfare, we will take formal action to protect animals and the reputation of the Cornish farming industry”.