A jobless mum who took in more than 30 cats has been banned from keeping them for 10 years after being found guilty of animal cruelty.

Julie Newnham, 38, advertised her home on the internet as being a haven for unwanted animals.

Scores of people who could no longer care for their pets took them to her thinking they would lead a healthy and safe life.

However, Newnham - pictured left - has now been found guilty of a string of animal cruelty charges - but spared an immediate jail sentence.

When RSPCA inspectors went to her home, in Homeside, Borrows Lane, Middle Stoke, on the Isle of Grain, after a tip-off they found four cats in very poor condition.

They were emaciated, flee-ridden and had sores and ulcers. One cat - called Ruby - was so ill, she had to be put down.

There were said to be 33 cats at Newnham's home as well as two dogs owned by her husband.

The cats were also suffering from diarrhoea. Some had sores, had suffered hair loss and were covered in faeces.

Newnhan allowed the cats to be taken by the RSPCA inspectors. They were all taken to a vet and given emergency treatment and pain relief. Unfortunately, Ruby did not recover and had to be put down.

Julie Newnham's cat ruby was so emaciated she had to be put down

Newnham was charged with four counts of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal and two counts of failing in her duty of care as she was responsible for ensuring the animal's welfare.

She was found guilty in her absence after not turning up for a court hearing in September. A warrant was issued for her arrest and she was brought back before the courts a few days later.

Her case was adjourned to allow pre-sentencing reports to be completed and she was sentenced before magistrates in Medway.

Andrew Wiles, prosecuting for the RSPCA said: "The cats were extremely thin and sneezing and suffering hair loss and diarrhoea. Some were covered in faeces and had large flee burdens.

"One cat had discharged coming out of his eyes and was very thin, and had a ulcer in the right eye, it was at risk of losing it if the ulcer had burst."

Mr Wiles said the total cost of the treatment for the cats and the subsequent investigation to the charity was more than £5,200 - and asked magistrates to consider awarding costs.

Another of the cats had to be given emergency treatment

Jeremy Betts, defending, told the court Newnham had good intentions when she took in the cats, but did not have the means or finances to deal with them if they became ill.

He told magistrates she had overstretched herself and that she no longer advertises her services online. He said the cats' ill treatment was not a deliberate act and that his client just could not cope.

Magistrates jailed Newnham for 12 weeks - but suspended the sentence for 12 months - and banned her from keeping cats for 10 years. She was also ordered to carry out 240 hours' unpaid work and pay a contribution of £1,202.80 towards the charity's costs.

Magistrate John Weir said: "Any right thinking person would have realised that these cats needed help."