A MAN has been given a prison sentence and forced to forfeit £20k after he was caught in Redditch transporting 44 dogs in cruel conditions in cramped, filthy cages.

Aaron Phillips, from Northern Ireland, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to animals and was sentenced at Kidderminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday June 7.

The 39-year-old, of Riverside Meadows, Ballynahinch, received an eight-week prison sentence, suspended for 12-months, was ordered to pay costs and was disqualified from transporting or arranging the transportation of any animal for three years.

He was also made to forfeit more than £20k cash found by police on his arrest under The Proceeds of Crime Act.

Forty four dogs were seized by West Mercia Police officers from two vehicles in Bordesley Lane, Redditch, on Tuesday December 8, 2020.

Phillips had transported the dogs, which were predominantly from Northern Ireland, and stopped in Redditch to offload 16 of them - 14 of which were puppies.

The 44 dogs, 28 of which were puppies, were in just 12 cages. The majority were not big enough for even one dog to travel in.

Some of the dogs were unable to stand up, sit or turn around and the floors of all cages were covered in a thin layer of sawdust which smelt of urine and faeces.

Pcso Katie Hearnden Fellows said on the West Mercia Police neighbourhood alert system: "All the animals were seized under the Animal Welfare Act, and West Mercia took civil action against the owners of the dogs being transported.

"There were two civil court cases, which saw West Mercia successfully retain all but two of the dogs seized.

"The remaining dogs were also rehomed through the Dogs Trust or with the help of foster carers within West Mercia Police, many of whom retained the dogs once court cases were concluded."

Three other men arrested on suspicion of theft and later released on police bail were not charged.