A LICENSEE whose dog was found dead inside her boarded-up pub was ordered to undertake community service by magistrates who described the penalty as payback for her 'despicable' actions.

Caroline Rushton, 35, former licensee of the White Lion Hotel, Huncoat, now of Penistone, Sheffield, admitted abandoning a black and white terrier and causing unnecessary suffering to a black labrador.

Hyndburn magistrates sentenced her to 100 hours' community service, banned her from keeping animals for five years and ordered her to pay £100 towards the RSPCA's £600 prosecution costs.

Chris Wyatt, prosecuting for the RSPCA, said the two dogs had been left inside the pub after Rushton quit the premises.

Geoff Sage, development manager for Chorley-based brewery Pub Estate Company, went to the boarded-up pub on November 28 and found the dead terrier, which had one eye missing. The dog was emaciated, Mr Wyatt said.

A labrador was also found. It was thin and had not eaten for some time, but was later fed and has recovered.

There was no electricity, no food and no water inside the pub, which was strewn with rubbish and smelled.

Rushton had moved to Stephenson Street West, Accrington, and when interviewed there by an RSPCA inspector, she said she had not seen the dogs since November 21. She made excuses of poor health and poor financial conditions, said Mr Wyatt. Duncan Nightingale, defending, said Rushton was not thinking straight because of the failing pub business and personal problems in her relationship with a young man.

She was at a low point in her life and there had been a fire at the pub which was thought to have been started by the man, he said.

The labrador had been Rushton's pet for a year and she had taken in the terrier because its previous owner was mistreating it.

Rushton had now moved to Sheffield, partly because of the court case and also so she could start afresh with her two young children, he said.

Chairman of the bench Bill Goldsmith told Rushton that a custodial sentence had been considered but he felt it would not benefit anyone.

He said: "This was gross negligence. However it was a low point in your personal life and you have had your fair share of personal problems. This was a despicable kind of offence and the community service is a payback for the awful thing you did."

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