A Waltham Abbey man who sold kittens illegally has been forced to pay £1,500 compensation and victim surcharge of almost £3,000 following the death of two kittens after they were purchased.

Mustafa Soydag of Orchard Gardens was also charged with a Noise Abatement Notice after leaving his barking dogs unattended.

Mr Soydag sold two Bengal kittens for a total of £3,000 shortly after the purchase they died despite vetinary intervention.

Chelmsford Magistrates Court heard that Mr Soydag did not have a licence for selling animals, he pleaded guilty to both charges.

Mr Soydag was ordered to pay compensation to the purchaser of the kittens amounting to £1,500, as well as a total of £2,799.68 in costs and a victim surcharge payment of £75.

The court imposed a Community Order requiring him to carry out 100 hours unpaid work within the next twelve months under the supervision of the Probation Service.

The magistrates chose not to impose a separate penalty for breaches of the Noise Abatement Notice.

For more information on the Animal Welfare Act 2006 visit the Government Animal Welfare website