TWO farmers from Newent have been given 100 hours community service after being found guilty of 10 charges of animal cruelty.

Gerald and Paul Jones, of Pella Farm, Oxenhall, were convicted for causing necessary suffering to a protected animal and failure of duty of person responsible for animal to ensure welfare at a previous hearing at Cheltenham Magistrates Court on Thursday, February 20.

The case was brought by Gloucestershire County Council Trading Standards after the pair failed to follow advice from the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency, Trading Standards and their own private veterinary surgeons, relating to the appropriate treatment of foot rot.

During a visit on December 10, 2012, numerous goats were seen to be lame and the majority of the lame goats had their feet bandaged.

During the inspection of the lame goats, one goat was put down immediately on welfare grounds and 32 others were culled later that day.

Both men were sentenced at Stroud Magistrates Court on Monday to 100 hours community service for each of the charges to run concurrently.

They were also ordered to pay £9,500 costs, a £60 victim surcharge and were banned for 10 years on keeping sheep and goats.