TWO Thurrock women wept in court as they were jailed for their roles in breeding and selling puppies, many of which were raised in appalling conditions which led to the death of many.

Others required significant medical treatment to nurse them back to health after they were sold to caring owners.

Many of those owners testified in court about the shocking state of the animals they bought.

In May this year Thurrock Nub News reported on the horrific story of animal cruelty and fraudulent trade in puppies at two properties in the borough after it was detailed in court by the RSPCA'S special operations team. The court heard how the trade funded a lavish lifestyle for the quartet.

The action of the RSPCA saved some puppies, but a number were found dead in freezers at the homes.

Stacey Hayward, 41, of Colliford Road, West Thurrock, Steven Foster, 42, also of Colliford Road, Kelly Bennett, 43, and Ricky Bennett, 41, both of Weymouth Drive, Chafford Hundred, all admitted their guilt when they appeared at Basildon Crown Court in May and confessed to fraud and acquiring criminal property.

Kelly Bennett also indicated guilty pleas for two offences under the Animal Welfare Act while Ricky Bennett indicated a guilty plea to one animal welfare offence.

The alarm about their activities had been raised by members of the public who had bought puppies from addresses in Billericay and Thurrock.

Yesterday (Friday, 14 October) justice was served when Kelly Bennett was jailed for four years and one month. Stacey Hayward was sentenced to 47 months in jail.

The pair, who have now been given lifetime bans on owning animals, also regularly travelled to Swindon to collect puppies from unlicensed puppy farms and transported them in vans back to Essex.

Kelly Bennett were the main instigators of the actual dog trade. The court heard the duo regularly travelled to Swindon to collect puppies from unlicensed puppy farms, some in Wales, and transported them in vans back to Essex where they were kept in dreadful conditions.

Ricky Bennett was jailed for three years for the fraud and animal welfare act crimes, plus for separate assault, criminal damage and money laundering charges. Foster will be sentenced on Thursday, 10 November.

It is estimated the gang made a combined £850,000 through their operation.

Inspector Vikki Dawe, from the RSPCA's SOU team, said: "The heartbreaking reality of puppy farming is that the welfare of the puppies comes second to making money. The sums of money involved are just eye-watering; and it's another reminder of how unscrupulous this trade can be; and how dangerous poor breeding and trading practices are for dogs, pups and unsuspecting consumers.

"For anyone looking to buy a puppy, rather than adopt - we urge them to do their research, know the signs of an unscrupulous breeder and use tools such as the Puppy Contract to avoid becoming another victim of the puppy trade."