Farmer let 73 sheep die in fields

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A County Durham farmer has been banned from keeping cattle and sheep for 10 years, after allowing 71 sheep to die in his fields.

Graham Green, 59, of Haggworth Hall Farm, Baldersdale, was also given a 12-week jail term, suspended for a year, by magistrates in Bishop Auckland.

He had earlier admitted five charges of causing unnecessary suffering.

The court heard how RSPCA inspectors found decomposing sheep carcasses on his land in February.

Two animals found alive had to be put down, bringing the total number of dead sheep to 73.

This is a heartbreaking case of neglect RSPCA inspector Mark Gent

The animals were found to have died from malnutrition and worm infections after weeks of suffering.

In mitigation, the court was told Green had been ill and a spell of bad weather had made the fields where the sheep were kept inaccessible.

Green was also ordered to pay Â£2,484 costs.

Speaking after the hearing, RSPCA inspector Mark Gent said: "This is a heartbreaking case of neglect.

"The suffering these sheep endured was needless, unnecessary and could have been so easily prevented."