TWO relatives from Northwich have been given two-year conditional discharges after pleading guilty to animal cruelty.
Raymond Hazelhurst, 81, of Limes Lane, Higher Whitley, and Mary Hazelhurst, 49, of Runcorn Road, Barnton, admitted causing unnecessary suffering to two horses at Halton Magistrates Court.
The pair were set to be tried later this year after initially denying the charges, but changed their pleas at a pre-trial hearing last week.
Prosecutors said the pair failed to provide the horses – a mare called Rosie and a gelding called George – with adequate nutrition and veterinary care.
Both defendants were also sentenced to a two-year ban from keeping horses, suspended for two months, and ordered to pay £1,000 costs each.
An RSPCA spokeswoman said the pair may appeal against the conviction, but when the Chronicle went to press on Tuesday afternoon, no appeal had been formally lodged.
