A couple who kept llamas on a farm near St Ives have been fined and banned from keeping animals after failing to care for them.

On Tuesday, following a two day court case, Brian Gray and Sheila Gray of Venton Vision Farm, Burthallen Lane, St Ives, were prosecuted under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

The couple initially appeared in front of Truro Magistrates in January 2013 to answer summonses relating to the straying of llamas and the dangerous hazards on their farm, for which they pleaded not guilty.

Following a two day trial, the Magistrates found them guilty, they were ordered to pay costs and received a conditional discharge for twelve months.

Within days of the above order offences were being reported by residents living close to Venton Vision farm.

On April 1, DEFRA veterinary office Lorna Stevenson and animal health inspector Richard Dack inspected the farm.

On September 9 at Truro magistrates Court, Mr and Mrs Gray pleaded guilty to three representative charges:

• Failing to protect their llamas from pain, suffering, injury and disease by failing to stop them straying

• Failure to dispose of a llama carcase

• Exposed llamas to potentially dangerous hazards failing to provide them with a suitable environment

The magistrates, after hearing evidence from the prosecution and defence disqualified the Grays from keeping farm animals including Llamas for five years, handed the pair a penalty of £165 +£20 victim surcharge, and awarded full costs of £1,300 to Cornwall Council.