A FARMER from Notts is to be sentenced today after scores of dead animals were found rotting on his farm.

Notts County Council’s Trading Standards team have described the case of Keith James Littlewood and his White Haven Farm in Bestwood as “the most horrific they have ever dealt with”.

After taking a call from a member of the public who was concerned about the welfare of animals at the farm officers found “sickening scenes” including:

• The rotting carcases of scores of dead pigs, cows, poultry and a donkey in varying states of decay

• Starving animals with no access to food or water, some feeding on the carcases of dead animals

• A dog locked in a cubicle with no food and surrounded by faeces

• Evidence of attempts to incinerate animal carcases

• Animals left to roam the site in hazardous conditions.

Mr Littlewood, 47, of Goosedale Lane, Bestwood, has pleaded guilty to four breaches of animal by-product regulations which relate to not disposing of eight dead cows, one donkey, a number of pig and chicken carcasses.

He has also admitted eight breaches of the Animal Welfare Act, relating to cruelty and causing unnecessary suffering to three cows, 17 pigs and a dog.

His case was heard in Nottingham Magistrates’ Court in October last year, but magistrates have referred his case to the crown court for sentencing.

Nicola Schofield, Trading Standards Manager at Nottinghamshire County Council said, "This is the most horrific case of animal cruelty we have ever had to deal with. The scenes the Council's Trading Standards and Animal Welfare officers were faced with when they arrived at White Haven Farm were absolutely horrendous.

"We are immensely grateful to the member of the public who reported this to us. Animals had clearly been mistreated for a long period and if the witness hadn't come forward, there is every chance that this cruelty would have gone on for much longer, increasing the chances of more animals dying and disease being spread from the carcases."

Councillor Mick Murphy, Portfolio Holder for Community Safety at Nottinghamshire County Council said: "There is no place in society for any kind of animal cruelty, let alone on such a large scale and even more so when it presents such a risk to public health.”

The maximum penalty for each of the offences relating to the breaches of the Aninal By-Product Regulations 2011 is two years imprisonment and an unlimited fine.

The penalties for offences under the Animal Welfare Act are imprisonment of up to 51 weeks and a fine of up to £20,000 for section 4 offences, and imprisonment for 51 weeks and a fine of up to £5,000 for section 9 offences.

The Court also has the power to make an order disqualifying the defendant from owning or keeping animals, dealing or transporting animals.

Anyone with concerns about the welfare of livestock or farm animals in Notts call Notts County Council on 08449 80 80 80.