CHARLOTTE ROBERTS FROM GALASHIELS FINED FOR ANIMAL NEGLECT AND REPTILE BAN

Charlotte Amy Roberts, born on March 3, 1991, of 274 Beech Avenue, Galashiels TD1 2LG, was convicted in 2020 of severely neglecting a pet lizard. Roberts, who is known to have a history as a pet peddler alongside her wife Vickie Hay, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to the lizard.

Animal welfare officers reported that they found the Bosc monitor lizard close to death during a raid at their flat following a tip-off. The officers also discovered 13 cats, two dogs, and a rabbit on the premises.

Roberts avoided a full ban on owning animals and has surrendered her dogs and cats to the Scottish SPCA. However, two dogs, five cats, and a fish remain in the property, as they are owned by her 23-year-old wife, Vickie Roberts.

Vickie Roberts entered a not guilty plea to causing unnecessary suffering to the lizard, which was accepted by the Crown. The court was told that a complaint had been made to the Scottish SPCA about neglect at the property.

Charlotte Roberts admitted that the lizard was in a "very bad" condition—it was motionless, collapsed, and had no access to water, with a dry water dish filled with wood shavings. The lizard was immediately taken for veterinary care and was found to be very weak and emaciated, weighing only 1.68 kilograms when it should have been between 2.5 and 3 kilograms. After seven days of treatment, the lizard recovered sufficiently to be "fed back to life" and has now been signed over to the Scottish SPCA.

Initially, the Crown called for a ban on Roberts owning all animals. However, after discussions with the Scottish SPCA and Lothian Cat Rescue, the restriction was limited to reptiles. Depute fiscal Anna Robertson noted that the Scottish SPCA had spoken highly of Roberts’ attitude and her understanding of the situation regarding the lizard.

Roberts had signed over her cats and one dog to the Scottish SPCA, but concerns remained about animals still in the flat, which belonged to her wife. These animals required flea treatments, and landlords Waverley Housing had policies restricting pet numbers. Vets in the area indicated outstanding bills for pet care, and there was mention of a GoFundMe page set up for a dog with an ear infection.

Defense lawyer Colin Severin stated that the remaining animals—two dogs, five cats, and a fish—were all owned by Vickie Roberts and that Charlotte Roberts had "taken on more than she could handle," emphasizing that there was no malicious intent. He also highlighted their long-standing involvement in buying and selling animals via Facebook, going back to 2015.

Sheriff Peter Paterson fined Charlotte Roberts £200 for causing unnecessary suffering to the lizard and imposed a two-year ban on her from keeping reptiles, which expired in 2022. The sheriff expressed skepticism about her claimed financial situation, noting that with her joint Employment Support Allowance of £275 per fortnight, it was hard to believe how they managed to care for multiple pets.