TWO people have been banned from keeping animals for a decade after they were found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to their pet cats.

Anne Louise Rushton and Michael Cassidy did not attend Newton Aycliffe Magistrates Court yesterday to be sentenced for the offence.

The court heard how the pair had failed to seek professional veterinary care for five cats who had gingivitis and severe dental disease between September and November 2015.

Rushton, 39, and Cassidy, 64, both of Corbett Street, Easington Colliery were found guilty after a trial by magistrates.

Chair of the bench, Lynette Harrison, banned both defendants from keeping animals for ten years. She said: “We do find that they were neglectful of the cats.

“We believe that every competent cat owner would have recognised the symptoms and then sought appropriate advice.

“For those reasons, and in relation to them both, the punishment is in form of a deprivation order.

“They will be deprived of the cats, who will be put into the care of the RSPCA.

“They will also be disqualified from keeping any animals for ten years and they can not apply to have the ban lifted for at least five years.”

Rushton and Cassidy were ordered to pay £250 legal costs and a £30 victim surcharge each.