PHOTOS showing the horrible conditions dozens of poultry were living in at a Winsford plot have been revealed.

The pictures, taken as part of a multi-agency operation involving the RSPCA, DEFRA and Cheshire West and Chester Council, show chickens and geese living in filthy conditions, on the same site as chicken carcasses.

The photos have been released following the sentencing of the man in charge of the poultry premises, Scott Paul Buckland, 40, of Packhorse Close, Lostock Gralam, Northwich.

He appeared at Chester Magistrates Court on Monday, September 20 and was handed a suspended prison sentence after he had pleaded guilty to seven offences including causing unnecessary suffering to animals.

The court heard some poultry had starved to death, while other starving birds had resorted to cannibalism.

Prosecuting on behalf of Cheshire West and Chester Council, Ian Moore said RSPCA inspectors visited the Winsford site on January 26 and first found two sheep in a fenced off area which had very limited grazing; the sheep were chewing on a bit of tree bark.

A water trough had been completely frozen over, and looked like it had been for several days. Inspectors removed the inch-thick ice sheet and the sheep immediately began to drink the water underneath.

Inspectors found hens in pens displaying what they said was concerning behaviour. They had no food or fresh bedding, the ground underneath was muddy and their water was dirty.

Poultry was found deceased in various states of decomposition and some live poultry were resting on dead poultry. A total of 91 poultry was on the site.

Some poultry were roaming free and mixing with wild birds – this was taking place when Cheshire was subject to effective 'lockdown' regulations for Avian Flu.

The RSPCA brought 20kg of pellets and fresh bedding and called Trading Standards, who in turn notified DEFRA to obtain expert advice.

The RSPCA left the scene, taking two rabbits which had been left in "inadequate" hutches.

An experienced, expert vet inspector surveyed the scene and concluded it was "one of the worst, if not the worst cases" she had ever witnessed in terms of poultry.

In her opinion, some of the animals had not been fed for days, if not weeks, and some of the poultry had either starved to death or died because of the cold.

The stronger birds, in the absence of food, had begun pecking at the weaker birds, and had started to eat the weaker birds.

When inspectors had bagged up 43 of the deceased poultry as evidence, they left the scene to pick up a seal for the bag. Upon their return, they found the bag had been set on fire, and there was a man in a Vauxhall at the scene.

That man was Buckland, and he was interviewed by Trading Standards.

Buckland said he was renting the land at £250 a year, and had fallen behind on payments. He explained to the officers how he had not been able to feed his animals due to Covid.

He said he was attending every two days, feeding and watering the animals, but accepted he could have done more and was responsible for their welfare.

The two sheep were pets, and were due to be slaughtered at a later date.

The keeping of poultry was not a business but a hobby, and matters had got on top of him in the past couple of months in his personal life, which had left him jobless and living in his car.

He had a number of mental health issues and was trying to get his life back on track.

Asked why one of the chicken carcasses was in a cage hanging from a small piece of rope, Buckland said he had friends who would come round to shoot foxes, and the chicken was fox bait.

Asked why he had burned evidence, Buckland replied it was his first instinct "just to get rid of it".

It was stressed to the court that Buckland's actions were not representative of the farming community as a whole.

Defending, Tony Birchall agreed that Buckland was a hobbyist and the poultry premises was not a commercial enterprise.

The plot of land was rented but the animals were under Buckland's ownership.

It was no longer the defendant's intention to own animals, as he was focusing on caring for himself and needed time to do that.

The burning of the poultry bag was not to get rid of evidence, but felt the responsible thing to do.

Buckland, of previous good character, was assessed as a low risk of reoffending.

He no longer had the plot of land, and when officers visited that land in August, there were no animals being kept there.

District Judge Nicholas Sanders said: "There is no doubt that this was a very serious example of animal neglect. It clearly did not happen overnight and resulted in the death of a number of poultry.

"The conclusion of an experienced veterinary officer says it's one of the worst cases involving poultry she had ever witnessed.

"I can see that because of the background to this matter – there were a number of personal issues impacting very seriously on your level of function, it would be appropriate to suspend the sentence."

Buckland was sentenced to 18 weeks, suspended for 18 months, and must carry out 200 hours unpaid work.

He was banned from any role in the keeping of animals for 10 years, with a minimum period of five years before this could be reviewed.

The district judge warned him that included if someone in his household obtained a family pet, he would be in breach.

Buckland must also pay £511 court costs and a £128 victim surcharge.

Councillor Karen Shore, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Strategic Transport said: “We must do all we can to prevent animals being subjected to such neglect. I would like to thank everyone involved in investigating this case, resulting in this successful prosecution.

“I would also thank local residents for their vigilance and encourage anyone who has concerns about the welfare of an animal to report it to us so that the appropriate action can be taken.”