A flock of sheep belonging to a well-known farmer was found to be in such poor condition that one of them - a pregnant ewe - had to be put down, a court has heard.

Hugh Davies, of Castell Dwyrain, Abernant, Carmarthenshire, who also runs farms in Pembrokeshire - pleaded guilty at Haverfordwest Magistrates on Thursday, November 24, to two Animal Health and Welfare offences.

He also admitted, on behalf of the partnership of AH and NA Davies, two animal by-product offences.

The court was told that during February and April last year, Animal Health and Welfare officer from Pembrokeshire County Council’s public protection team made several visits to various locations in Martletwy - where Davies kept cattle and sheep - to investigate complaints they had received.

On one visit, a flock of sheep belonging to Davies were found to be in poor condition and without sufficient feed, particularly as they were approaching lambing.

One ewe was found in such poor condition that, to prevent further suffering, it was euthanised. Another ewe died during the course of the visit and this animal was taken for post mortem.

The examination revealed it to be in a poor condition likely to have been caused by sheep scab infection. It was lame due to foot rot. The ewe was also carrying three full-term lambs.

The veterinary officer supported the case that lack of nutrition was majorly responsible for the animal’s death, particularly as it was supporting three lambs.

On another visit in April to Martletwy farms, Eweton and Martins Hill, officers found a large quantity of sheep carcasses in sheds and fields.

An Animal By-Products Notice was served requiring Davies to collect and dispose of all the carcasses. When officers returned to the farm, they found he had collected some, but more than 10 carcasses were still present, thus ensuring failure to comply with the notice.

In mitigation, Davies said that at the time of the offences his mother was ill and the shepherd, to whom he had entrusted the care of the flock, had failed to perform his duties properly.

The magistrates imposed a conditional discharge for 12 months for one animal welfare offence and one animal by-product offence, with no separate penalty for the other two offences.

In sentencing Davies, the bench said they could have imposed a fine, but had taken into account his guilty plea and were not going to disqualify him from keeping animals.

Davies was also ordered to pay costs totalling £3,525.04 plus a victim surcharge of £15. An offer to pay it of at the rate of £100 per month was accepted.