A REPTILE collector has been allowed to keep his large collection of exotic pets despite being convicted of causing them unnecessary suffering by housing them in a "ramshackle barn".

At the end of a trial that has cost £30,000, Colin Shaw was convicted of 25 counts of causing unnecessary suffering to animals, including crocodiles, alligators, pythons and terrapins.

District Judge Tony Browne said he had reservations about charges relating to another two animals.

Unemployed music teacher Shaw, who was charged with 27 counts of causing unnecessary suffering, was fined £250 and ordered to pay £250 towards the £30,000 costs.

Shaw, 41, of Market Crescent, Wingate, County Durham, maintained his innocence throughout the trial, which lasted almost three weeks.

Judge Browne, sitting at Bishop Auckland Magistrates Court, said he had been left in no doubt how Shaw felt about his animals but said he agreed with the prosecution that the conditions in which they were kept had caused them unnecessary suffering.

The prosecution was brought by the RSPCA following a raid at the barn, in Wingate, in October 2001, when many of the creatures were confiscated.

Shaw successfully appealed against their confiscation and the reptiles were returned to him after examination.

Yesterday, Judge Browne dismissed an application by the RSPCA to have Shaw's animals taken from him and his licence to keep exotic pets revoked.

"I don't doubt that these animals are his whole life. I think he became overwhelmed by the husbandry requirements at that time.

"I think he was managing as best, or as inadequately, as he was at that time for this reason."

The court was told that the reptiles had been living in "woefully inadequate conditions in a ramshackle, dilapidated stand-alone barn".

Judge Browne said he had visited the barn and conditions had improved dramatically.

An RSPCA spokesman said afterwards: "From an animal welfare point of view, we are delighted with a conviction."

Acknowledging the cost of the case, she added: "The RSPCA cannot be daunted by the amount something will cost or how we fulfil our mandate to prevent cruelty to animals."