A BACHELOR who kept animals in squalid conditions has been jailed for six months.

Magistrates at Chester-le-Street, County Durham, sent him down after hearing a tale of 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 three years ago.

The 38-year-old was originally disqualified for keeping several animals in appalling conditions, including a starving dog which was eventually put down.

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, on February 29.

Despite overwhelming evidence that he was keeping animals - including encrusted and mouldy animal waste on the carpet and bags of food in the house - Neill said that a 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 his client, said sending him to prison would be "a crushing blow".

Because of financial difficulties, Neill escaped having to pay RSPCA and prosecution costs totalling 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 yesterday's sentencing, Insp Kane said he was delighted with the tough sentence.

He said: "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."

The Northern Echo started its Animal Watch campaign with backing from the RSPCA to highlight the region's appalling animal cruelty record.