A woman from Hatfield has been banned from keeping animals for life after she admitted neglecting her pet cat.

Amy Cattigan, 24, of Hollyfield, was sentenced at St Albans Magistrates’ Court today after the RSPCA found her cat dead in a cupboard in her flat last year.

She was given a six week prison sentence suspended for 12 months, a three month curfew order from 9pm to 6am, ordered to pay costs of £500 plus an £80 victim surcharge and a lifetime ban on keeping animals.

She pleaded guilty to one charge of causing unnecessary suffering by failing to provide water for her female cat named Meew.

She also entered a guilty plea to failing to provide a suitable living environment for the cat. These offences took place in October last year.

Cattigan also admitted a third offence of failing to treat the cat’s fleas between August and October last year. 

All the charges were filed under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. 

RSPCA Inspector Robert Hartley said: "The behaviour of the defendant in this case showed an absolute disregard for the cat's welfare.

"It was a particularly nasty case and the poor cat must have suffered greatly."