A PENSIONER who denied breaching a ban on keeping farm animals has been found guilty of the offence by Truro magistrates.

Vivian John Exelby, aged 76, of Little Borthog, Carnhell Green, was guilty of maintaining fencing on his land to make the field stock-proof, whilst at the same time having the sole custody of 17 cattle.

He had previously been disqualified from doing so after conviction and sentence by Cornwall magistrates on November 21 last year.

He had admitted 12 charges of subjecting farm animals to poor living conditions, resulting in a community order.

An order was also made under section 34 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006, banning him from having any responsibility of all farm animals.

In court on Monday, September 9, he was given an 18-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £1,000 costs and £20 victim surcharge.

READ MORE: Landowner fined thousands of pounds for massive excavation in AONB