PENSIONER CONVICTED OF CAUSING UNNECESSARY SUFFERING TO A SEAL
A pensioner who ran a seal sanctuary was today convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to a seal by failing to provide veterinary care.
Harold Nickerson, 86, formerly of Somerton Road, Winterton, kept animals in 'unhygienic' conditions and allowed them to suffer.
He pleaded not guilty to seven counts of causing unnecessary suffering to animals and one count of not keeping animals in appropriate conditions between November 27, 2010 and March 4, 2011.
Nickerson, who did not attend the three-day trial, operated a small-scale seal sanctuary where he kept orphaned and injured seals.
Inspectors from the RSPCA visited after a concerned member of the public alerted them and seized five seals.
The court heard that seals were kept in dirty water and some had injuries.
Nickerson was convicted of causing unnecessary suffering due to failure to provide veterinary care and was given a conditional discharge for 12 months, ordered to pay costs of £250, and disqualified from keeping seals for five years.
The sanctuary is no longer operating.
Court Outcome
Conviction and Sentencing Details
Sentenced
Detected legal outcome
ng unnecessary suffering due to failure to provide veterinary care and was given a conditional discharge for 12 months, ordered to pay costs of 250, and disqualified from keeping seals for five years. The sanctuary is no longer operating.
Fine or payment
12 months
Nickerson was convicted of causing unnecessary suffering due to failure to provide veterinary care and was given a conditional discharge for 12 months, ordered to pay costs of 250, and disqualified from keeping seals for five years
Discharge or deferred sentence
12 months
Nickerson was convicted of causing unnecessary suffering due to failure to provide veterinary care and was given a conditional discharge for 12 months, ordered to pay costs of 250, and disqualified from keeping seals for five years
