A NORTHWICH man kept 10-foot-long pythons in cold and filthy conditions in a dilapidated lock-up garage without feeding them for several months.  

RSPCA inspectors found six live reticulated pythons in the garage on December 3, 2021, some so underweight their spines were visible through their skin, others mite-infested and with respiratory infections caused by the cold.  

The inspectors arranged for the animals to be taken safe place, but sadly one of them, a yellow female known only as NN1, died soon after arriving there.

Vincent Parkes, their owner, was tried in his absence by Chester magistrates yesterday, April 13, after failing to present himself at court.

The 33-year-old faced one count of causing unnecessary suffering to protected animals, and one of failing in his duty to ensure their welfare.

In a private prosecution brought by the RSPCA, the court heard how Parkes, of Cockington Close, Leftwich, removed several dead snakes - three or four - from a single tank at the garage in the presence of RSPCA inspectors, before police arrived to prevent him from doing so.

After hearing evidence from a local vet who provided emergency care to the snakes; another vet who is an acknowledged expert on reptile welfare; the reptile sanctuary owner who is currently looking after the surviving snakes; three RSPCA inspectors; and a written statement from a police officer who attended the garage, Parkes was found guilty on both charges by magistrates.

As he is already due to be sentenced for assaulting two police officers in an unrelated case, both matters will now be dealt with together on Monday, May 22.