Life animal ban and suspended prison sentence for Northumberland woman who moved out and left her pets to starve to death

Christine Overton, 54, was also banned from keeping animals for life.

The decomposing remains of the hamster and two cats, both of whom had been shut in bedrooms, were discovered by an RSPCA inspector after welfare concerns had been reported to the charity.

The cats had been unable to reach two large boxes of cat food and a vet who gave evidence in the case estimated they had laid dead for at least three months.

As well as the life animal ban, Overton was given an 18-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, after earlier being found guilty in her absence of one offence contrary to the Animal Welfare Act 2006 at a sentencing hearing – which took place at North Tyneside Magistrates Court.

The court heard RSPCA inspector Rowena Proctor had visited Overton’s new address in Seaton Delaval on April 26 last year.

She spoke to Overton about reports she had left animals behind at her previous address after members of the public said they had seen a cat in one of the bedroom windows.

Overton told the inspector she had previously owned two cats and a hamster which she had rehomed “months ago” and she confirmed she lived permanently at her new address and had done so for some time.

Inspector Proctor was not satisfied with what she heard and went immediately to Overton’s previous address at The Close in Seghill.

Tapes placed on the front door by the charity to see if anyone was going in or out, were still intact. This allowed the animal charity to seek support from the police to legally enter the property.

A dead grey hamster was found first, lying on its side in a cage in the living room. The rodent had no water and there were only inedible seed husks left in a bowl.

More bin bags were piled up in the kitchen and there was a strong odour coming from a fridge freezer in the dining room, which was where the flies appeared to be coming from.

Magistrates were told that one of the bedrooms was bolted from the outside. It was foul smelling and covered in faeces with empty food and water bowls by the door. A deceased black and white cat called Tom was found behind a curtain by the radiator.

In another bedroom, a grey and white cat called Oreo, deceased by the wall, was found behind a desk.

Magistrates also ordered Overton to carry out 10 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days, 250 hours of unpaid work and pay costs of £750 at the sentencing hearing earlier this month.

In mitigation, the court heard Overton had been “self medicating” with alcohol and had taken the opportunity to have a “fresh start.” She told the court she had made arrangements for her pets to be looked after, but accepted it was not adequate.

Speaking afterwards, inspector Proctor said: “There is simply no excuse for leaving animals behind to suffer and die like this. The distressing scene I encountered with the police officers who assisted us on the day will stay with us all for a long time.”