A MAN who took home a foal to 'try and save its life' was found guilty of neglecting the animal by Bishop Auckland magistrates this week.

John Williamson, 46, of St Mary's Close, Bishop Auckland, appeared before the court accused of failing to provide necessary care to a foal.

The RSPCA confiscated the horse from the Romanway Industrial Estate, Bishop Auckland, on May 19.

A later examination revealed it was underweight, had lice and a parasitic infection. Its weight almost trebled from 109kg to 285kg after being taken to a horse sanctuary.

Mr Williamson, who owns four other horses, denied failing to care for the foal properly. He described himself as an animal lover and said he acquired the foal at a horse fair last December after taking pity on it.

Magistrates heard he wormed and deloused the animal and asked for advice when he took another horse to a vet, but the foal was never actually taken to the practice.

Mr Williamson said looking back it could have been the best course to take it to a vet, but at first it appeared to be getting better.

Magistrates fined him £200 and ordered him to pay £800 court costs.