AN 18-week prison sentence has been imposed on a St Albans man who admitted cruelty to animal charges in a magistrates court. Brendan Rogers, aged 33, of Robert Avenue, pleaded guilty to three counts of causing unnecessary suffering to animals when he app

AN 18-week prison sentence has been imposed on a St Albans man who admitted cruelty to animal charges in a magistrates court.

Brendan Rogers, aged 33, of Robert Avenue, pleaded guilty to three counts of causing unnecessary suffering to animals when he appeared before Stevenage Magistrates yesterday (Monday).

He was arrested following an incident in a car park in Stevenage in January when three dead cats were found in his vehicle. X-rays of the cats shown to the court revealed they had suffered extensive fractures, leaving hardly any bones unbroken.

Rogers was also banned from keeping animals for life and had his dog seized. It was taken into care by the RSPCA.

Det Con Simon Goodship said: "This was a very distressing incident for those involved in the case as a number of cats had clearly suffered at the hands of this man. In light of this, the custodial sentence given by magistrates clearly reflects the severity of the offences."

RSPCA inspector Peter Warne added: "This was a shocking and sickening series of attacks which caused a huge amount of pain and distress. The cats were shown no mercy by this man and I am hopeful that the sentence will serve to protect future animals from a similar fate.