Teacher neglected exotic pets

The reptiles were returned after being examined by the RSPCA

A teacher has been found guilty of 27 charges of neglecting a number of exotic creatures- including alligators, crocodiles, pythons and terrapins - which were discovered in a dilapidated barn.

Colin Shaw, of Market Crescent, Wingate, County Durham, had denied the charges of causing unnecessary suffering to the array of exotic animals and faced a near-three-week trial over the allegations.

On Wednesday he was found guilty of all 27 charges and fined £250.

But the judge allowed Mr Shaw to keep the animals with the proviso that the animals' conditions needed to be improved.

The hearing had been adjourned earlier in July.

The prosecution was brought by the RSPCA following a raid at the barn, in Wingate, in October 2001, when many of the creatures were confiscated.

Music teacher

Mr Shaw, 41, had successfully appealed against their confiscation and the reptiles were returned to him after being examined by the RSPCA.

The court had heard the reptiles had been living in "woefully inadequate conditions in a ramshackle, dilapidated stand-alone barn".

Mr Shaw, an unemployed secondary school music teacher, appeared at Bishop Auckland Magistrates' Court, in County Durham.

Mr Shaw, a private collector, maintained throughout the trial that the reptiles had been looked after and that he had cleaned their cages once or twice a week.

That was backed by zoological vet Mike Linley, who told the court he believed the reptiles had been adequately cared for.