Wolverhampton pet rescue service kept animals in disgusting conditions

Jean Gibbons and Lance Hebditch – seen here gesticulating at an Express & Star photographer – ran Wulfrun Destitute Pets in Whitmore Reans.

The pair have now been barred from looking after animals after they appeared at Wolverhampton Magistrates Court yesterday. They looked after dogs, a cockatoo and a rabbit among other animals.

The court heard that a visit from RSPCA inspectors in November 2011 – two months after Gibbons had refused them entry onto the premises without a warrant – found animals were being mistreated.

Gibbons had pleaded guilty to eight charges relating to poor care of the animals while Hebditch admitted five. Although they tried to recant their admissions, district judge Michael

Wheeler refused to allow them to change their plea.

During the hearing a 25-minute video of the site was shown to the court.

It showed inspectors describing what they saw as "filthy and disgusting" – including piles of faeces, dirty or no water for animals, rotting food, soiled litter trays, little or no bedding and cramped pens.

One dog was said to be in significant pain, while some animals were being kept in total darkness. Prosecutor Paul Taylor told the court: "The defendants held themselves up to the public as charity animal carers – they positively encouraged people to leave animals with them.

"The conditions in which the animals were kept were wholly unsuitable."

The costs of the investigation, prosecution case and boarding of animals taken out of their care was almost £100,000.

The prosecution submitted that Gibbons, aged 59 and of Craddock Street, Whitmore Reans, was more culpable than Hebditch, 35 and of the same address. District Judge Michael Wheeler said a prison term was appropriate for what they had done, but he suspended their sentences for 18 months.

Gibbons was given a 22-week sentence suspended for 18 months, 220 hours unpaid work, told to pay £2,000 costs and prohibited from owning or keeping animals for 10 years. Hebditch was handed a 16-week sentence – also suspended for 18 months – as well as 160 hours unpaid work, £500 costs and banned from dealing with animals for six years. Judge Wheeler told the pair: "Your attitude towards this investigation and case has been obstructive at best and abusive at worst."

Wulfrun Destitute Pets confirmed that as of yesterday the business was no longer operating. Before sentence was passed, Clive Reece, defending the pair, said: "I can't say there is no neglect but the video you've seen is a snapshot."

Hebditch pleaded guilty to five charges including causing unnecessary suffering to a Chihuahua by failing to provide adequate veterinary care and attention for a problem with its teeth and jaw. He also admitted failing to provide veterinary care to a Staffordshire bull terrier-type dog for its lameness.

And he admitted failing to provide adequate dental care to a Yorkshire terrier-type dog, and not investigating feather loss of a Gof-fins cockatoo or treating it properly. He also pleaded guilty to a fifth charge of not providing a rabbit with a suitable environment.

Gibbons pleaded guilty to eight charges. They included not providing adequate vet's care to the Chihuahua-type dog. She also admitted a second charge of not providing adequate vet's care for the lameness of a Staffordshire bull terrier type dog. The couple first pleaded not guilty to all the charges in July 2012, but they then changed their pleas and admitted the charges in December.

During the sentencing hearing yesterday they asked the court to change their pleas back to not guilty. But their request was refused by the district judge because he had not received a written application.

Gibbons now works as a cleaner while Hebditch is on JobSeekers' allowance.