A NORTHWICH man who was caught smuggling puppies into the country has been allowed to walk free from court again, after he failed to comply with his community order.
Ben James Illidge, 33, of Wilson Crescent in Northwich, was caught in November 2016 trying to smuggle 35 puppies through Holyhead Port in ‘hugely inappropriate’ conditions, according to the RSPCA.
He appeared at Caernarfon Magistrates Court in July after pleading guilty to a series of charges.
He was given a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for a year, and ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.
According to Government guidelines on types of prison sentences, suspended sentences are given as a deterrent for the offender with the likelihood that if they do not adhere to the conditions of their sentence they will be sent to prison.
However, Illidge appeared in Chester Magistrates Court on December 8, for failing to comply with his community order, but has again evaded an immediate prison sentence.
The suspension period for his 12-week sentence was increased to 18 months, and he was given 35 additional hours of unpaid work.
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