A WOMAN who so neglected her eight cats that they were flea-ridden and emaciated has been jailed for four weeks and banned from keeping animals for five years.

The chairman of the magistrates at Cheltenham told Margary Wright she had caused unnecessary suffering to the cats over a long period of time.

"They could have been treated for the infections and infestations and you chose not to do so," said JP Mark Johnson.

"All the cats were in a poor physical condition and you neglected them in a way which is not acceptable.

"There is no other way to deal with this than to send you to prison for four weeks."

Wright, 59, of Bramble Drive, Cam, had originally denied 14 charges of cruelty by neglect but changed her pleas at an earlier hearing when magistrates adjourned the case for a pre-sentence report.

The charges included causing unnecessary suffering by failing to provide some of the cats with enough food, failing to obtain proper veterinary care for ear mite and flea infestations, and failing to get veterinary treatment for infections.

Cheltenham Magistrates Court heard that all the cats had been seized, but that Wright was appealing in the crown court to have them returned.

Charlotte Mitchell, prosecuting for the RSPCA, said Wright's treatment of the cats had come to light after she sold three of them for £500.

"Their new owner had serious concerns about their welfare," she said. "One was emaciated and the other two were very thin.

"One also had a lot of hair missing, another had no hair on its tail and was walking oddly because its feet were caked in faeces and cat litter.

"The cats were so hungry that they ate everything their new owner put in front of them and they also drank copious amounts of water."

A vet said the cats' clinical condition demanded immediate attention and they had suffered through lack of care.

As a result of this, Wright's home was raided by RSPCA officers and a vet, backed up by police.

Five more cats were found, all malnourished and suffering from similar infections and infestations.

Defending, Stuart Ramshaw said that at the time of the offences Wright was suffering from a great deal of stress.

"She had been diagnosed with a severe anxiety disorder and was suffering from panic attacks," he said.

"This arose from an earlier period when she suffered racial harassment in her neighbourhood.

"She agrees she did cause suffering to the animals but that said, none of them died or had long term problems."

He said Wright's state of mind, as outlined in the probation report, meant she was not a suitable candidate for custody.

He suggested that a ban on keeping animals would be a considerable punishment for her together with a conditional discharge.

But the bench disagreed and as well as handing down the prison sentence, chairman Mr Johnson banned Wright from keeping any animals for five years.

Speaking after sentence, RSPCA inspector Phil Mann said: "Taking a case to court is the last resort for the RSPCA but in this case we were left with no other option.

"The defendant was not willing to take our offers of help or advice, she would not allow us onto her property and she failed to comply with the law.

"I hope people will learn from this case that it is not only in the best interest of the animals but also of the owners that they co-operate with us and accept our help and advice."