A WOMAN who caused "unnecessary suffering" to her pet cat was handed a suspended jail sentence and banned from owning animals for five years.

Rebecca Davies, 54, of Stafford Road, Caldicot, failed to provide veterinary treatment for an ulcerated tumour affecting the leg of the animal known as Mitzi.

The defendant pleaded guilty to two offences under the Animal Welfare Act.

She committed them between April and June 2020, Newport Magistrates’ Court heard.

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Davies was spared going straight to prison because of her “clean character and mental health”.

The defendant was jailed for 12 weeks, suspended for 18 months.

She was ordered to pay £400 costs and a £122 surcharge.