Case Report

A Kent couple has been jailed for 120 days after repeatedly neglecting kittens, despite a previous ban.

Marina Wilkes, 25, and Paul Sargeant, 32, from Northfleet, both admitted causing unnecessary suffering to kittens and breaching a ban imposed in 2002 by Dartford magistrates.

Wilkes's brother, Perry Wilkes, 36, of no fixed abode, also admitted causing unnecessary suffering to cats and breaching a ban. He was ordered to carry out 200 hours community punishment and pay �100 costs. All three were banned for life from keeping animals.

Another brother, Julian Wilkes, 20, admitted causing unnecessary suffering to cats and was banned from keeping animals for five years, ordered to carry out 100 hours community punishment and pay �50 costs.

Sickly kittens
The court heard how RSPCA arrived at the house following a complaint. She could see a sickly kitten through the window and knowing they were banned from keeping cats she called the police to gain access to the house.

There were ten underweight kittens in the house with sticky eyes and all were immediately taken to a vet for treatment. Sadly, one kitten was so ill it had to be euthanized. The kittens and two adult cats were signed over to the care of the RSPCA and have been rehomed.

Some months later Inspector Clements returned to the property following another complaint and found five more underweight kittens living in squalor, suffering from eye infections and ringworm. These were also signed over and rehomed.

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