A woman has been fined more than ten thousand pounds for running an illegal cattery.

Owner of Heathfield's Little Brooke Cattery Mandy Papps pleaded guilty before magistrates to running the business from her home in Swaines Way without the required licence.

The 59-year-old has been banned from running a cattery business for five years and ordered to pay a total of £14,342 in fines, court fees and costs.

The magistrates said that her action had been deliberate and it was clear a business was being run which required a licence.

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After the hearing at Hastings Magistrates Court, Chris Bending, of Wealden District Council, praised the court for “recognising the seriousness” of the offence.”

“Pet owners love their cats, many are valued as members of their families and need the assurance of a licensing scheme when leaving their cats to board, when going on holiday,” he said.

“The licensing scheme exists to ensure that modern welfare standards are in place in all catteries for the safety and wellbeing of cats.

“Catteries that have applied for a licence since the introduction of the 2018 regulations and improved their conditions to comply with the new standards, should not be penalised by operators who failed to apply, despite frequent reminders to do so.”