A BACHELOR who kept a menagerie of animals in squalid conditions was jailed for six months this week.

Magistrates at Chester-le-Street sent him down after hearing a tale of sickening neglect and suffering inflicted on two border collies, two ferrets and a hamster - animals Christopher Neill kept despite a lifetime ban on him owning pets imposed by magistrates three years ago.

The 38-year-old was originally disqualified for keeping several animals in appalling conditions, including a starving dog eventually put down whose stomach contained foam, rubber and cardboard.

In the latest case, magistrates heard that the overpowering stench brought tears to the eyes of RSPCA Inspector Iain Kane when he went to Neill's house in Callander, Ouston last February 29.

Despite overwhelming evidence that he was keeping animals - encrusted and mouldy animal waste covering much of the carpet and bags of food in the house - Neill maintained a complete stranger came to his house at 6am that day and asked him to look after the animals.

Insp Kane described seeing two dogs, a ferret which was kept in a tiny waste-encrusted hamster cage, another ferret left in a cat box and a dead hamster lying in its cage.

He told the court at last month's trial: "The conditions were deplorable and absolutely shocking."

Neill had denied five charges of causing unnecessary suffering to the animals and four of contravening the life ban but was convicted on all counts at Derwentside magistrates court. He also pleaded guilty to the possession of a third ferret.

John Grierson, defending, said sending him to prison would be 'a crushing blow' and 'a sentence too far'. Trying to explain his actions, Neill told the earlier hearing: "I thought I was helping someone out. But it's landed me in a whole pile of trouble again."

Due to financial difficulties, Neill wasn't ordered to pay RSPCA and prosecution costs that totalled more than £3,000. He will serve five months concurrent for each animal cruelty charge and another month concurrent for the court order breaches.

Speaking after Wednesday's sentencing Insp Kane said he was 'absolutely delighted' with the tough sentence. He added: "It's quite apparent from the severity of the sentence that magistrates have used this most serious case to reinforce the message that you cannot breach court orders.

"It's apparent that magistrates will come down hard on anyone who openly and deliberately flouts a ban on owning animals.