A PENSIONER has been banned for life from keeping livestock after farmyard animals in her care were left in an emaciated state.

Clare Cotton was handed a suspended jail term after being convicted of six animal welfare offences following an investigation by East Sussex Trading Standards.

A goat found on the 79-year-old’s smallholding in Limes Lane, Buxted, was in such a poor state of health due to lack of veterinary care that it had to be put down.

Investigators also found an emaciated bull and a pig left without fresh water, dry bedding and an untreated skin condition.

Cotton had been due to stand trial but entered a last minute guilty plea and received a four-month prison sentence suspended for six months and banned for life from keeping goats, cows, sheep and pigs.

Brighton magistrates also ordered Cotton to pay £150 in court costs and an £80 victim surcharge on Tuesday and she will now have to rehome the remaining six goats and eight sheep she still owns.

Councillor Rupert Simmons, East Sussex County Council lead member for economy, said: “Anyone who keeps animals has a legal and moral duty to properly look after them and this was clearly not happening in this case.

“Our officers were shocked by the terrible state in which these creatures were found and I’m sure the general public will be equally appalled.”