South Shields brothers have animal cruelty convictions set aside by court
Two brothers accused of a series of animal cruelty charges have had their convictions set aside by a court.
Stephen Scott, 21, and Mark Scott, 19, were convicted in their absence earlier in November after failing to attend South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court on the same day for their cases.
Both are now due before the court on different dates in December after appearing separately before magistrates to have their convictions set aside and their cases reopened.
Stephen Scott faces five animal cruelty charges relating to cats and a dog at the pair’s then home in Vine Street, South Shields, between January 4 and February 4 this year.
Mark Scott is accused of one count of failing to prevent unnecessary suffering to two cats over the same period.
Magistrates were told that Stephen Scott, now of Hillsview Avenue, Newcastle, was not aware of the proceedings.
The court also learned that Mark Scott has also changed his address and now lives in John Williamson Street, South Shields.