A farmer has been banned from keeping animals for life after starving and dead sheep were found on his land.
David Booth caused his flock unnecessary suffering by leaving them without adequate care, nutrition, grass and water at his Aberdeenshire property.
Animal welfare officers arrived at his Peterculter farm to find 28 sheep in a thin and poor condition.
A ram and ewe lamb were both emaciated due to starvation and were infested with worm eggs and had to be put down.
Scottish SPCA staff also recovered the decomposing bodies of 16 sheep from the land.
Booth, 43, was found guilty of two charges after a trial at Aberdeen Sheriff Court and appeared for sentence yesterday.
His agent, solicitor Stuart Murray, said his client, who has his own business supplying animal feed, had accepted the court’s decision.
He added: “It may simply be the case that the care of these animals became less of a priority for Mr Booth for whatever reason.”
Booth, who now lives on a farm at Auchtertyne in the Kyle of Lochalsh, was found guilty of two charges – causing 28 crossbreed sheep unnecessary suffering between October 2012 and February the following year and having 16 carcases on his land.
Sheriff Annella Cowan said: “I have serious concerns about your position in regard to having any contact with livestock.”
She fined him a total of £8,000 and banned him from keeping animals for life.
Scottish SPCA chief inspector John Carle was called to the farm in February 2013 and said it was a case of “gross neglect”.
He said: “When I arrived there were two sheep in very poor condition. They were emaciated, weak and unable to stand.
“Sadly, a vet advised there was nothing that could be done to save them and they were put to sleep to end their suffering.
“There were also several sheep carcases lying around the field.
“This was a case of gross neglect, with Booth having little or no knowledge of farming. He simply used the sheep as a way of trying to gain planning permission for a house.
“A competent stockman would have readily identified any problems with the livestock on the farm and dealt with them appropriately.
“We welcome the lifetime ban Booth has received and believe the heavy fine sends out a strong message that those who neglect animals will be dealt with by the courts.”