THE sentencing of a husband and wife who have been convicted of animal neglect and running an illegal puppy farm in Ayrshire has been pushed back.

Stephen Hamilton, 53, and his wife Hazel, 52, appeared for sentencing at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court on Friday, October 25 for causing “unnecessary suffering” to animals at the East Ayrshire farm.

However, the case was adjourned until December due to Crown officials not receiving vital Proceeds of Crime documents until that morning.

The couple’s defence advocate Mark Moir KC told the court that a delay of six to eight weeks would be required to allow the Crown accountant to scrutinise the paperwork.

The procurator fiscal depute agreed, and said that the Crown needed more time due to “pressure of workload”.

Sheriff Nicola Patrick said: “I can’t proceed to sentencing in this case until this is dealt with, we want to maintain some momentum.”

The pair pleaded guilty to three charges after initially being charged with 15 offences by prosecutors.

Stephen Hamilton had applied to East Ayrshire Council for a dog breeding licence, but his application was rejected after objections were received.

Despite this, the pair went ahead with their plan to breed dogs at New Intax Farm near Galston.

A petition opposing the bid was signed by 20,000, but the couple were then found running the breeding programme.

The court was told earlier this year that the pair failed to get their dogs urgent veterinary treatment and kept them in cramped conditions.

The animals were left with a range of health conditions including ear problems, chronic dental disease, dermatitis and broken nails.

The pair failed to give the dogs adequate exercise and socialisation and failed to protect them from suffering.

They admitted one charge of causing four dogs “unnecessary suffering” between November 27, 2018 and November 27, 2020 in breach of Section 19(2) of the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006.

They also pleaded guilty to failing to “provide a suitable environment” in breach of Section 24 of the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006.

They also pleaded guilty to a third charge which said they did “keep a breeding establishment for dogs other than under the authority of a licence” between November 1, 2019 and November 27, 2020, in breach of Sections 1(1) and (3) of the Breeding of Dogs Act 1973.

Hamilton faced charges of animal cruelty and importing dogs illegally 20 years ago after allegedly being caught driving a truck with 102 puppies inside.

However, the charges on that occasion were not proven and he walked free from Kilmarnock Sheriff Court.