A man and a woman from Swanley who were both living on benefits and sharing the care of six ponies have been convicted of mistreating them.

The case brought by the RSPCA at Dartford magistrates court heard they denied them basic care including veterinary treatment and an adequate diet.

Sharon Cooksley, 42, and Jamie Brown, 23, who live in separate properties in Heath Close in Swanley, were sentenced at Dartford magistrates court last week.

They denied the offence.

The ponies were removed by the RSPCA from Oakview Stud Farm in Horton Kirby in December 2011.

RSPCA inspector Andrew Kirby said: “One chestnut mare had dental abnormalities that she was not getting treatment for, rug wounds and was in poor condition.

"She and her foal were being denied appropriate forage and grazing.

“Another chestnut colt had rug wounds and ringworm.”

Cooksley and Brown were found guilty of offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 relating to the ponies’ poor body condition, inadequate diet, dental problems, untreated ringworm and rug wounds.

They were both given a one-year disqualification from keeping horses, were fined £100 per offence and asked to pay £500 each in costs.

The defendants are appealing the decision.