A man has been jailed for five months after being caught keeping animals in breach of a court-imposed ban.
James Steele (55), of Gobrana Road, Glenavy, Crumlin, appeared before Lisburn Court where he was sentenced to five months’ imprisonment and ordered to pay a £25 offender levy for breaching a disqualification order under the Welfare of Animals Act (NI) 2011.
The case arose after DAERA officers inspected land known to belong to Steele and discovered animals present.
Further enquiries confirmed that four of the animals had been recently purchased by Steele, despite being prohibited from keeping or owning livestock.
A disqualification order is imposed following conviction for serious animal welfare offences and bans individuals from owning, keeping, or being involved in any arrangement concerning animals.
Steele had previously pleaded guilty to the charge before sentencing was handed down at Lisburn Court.
