A man has been banned from keeping cats for five years after leaving his pet to suffer for 'months' with an untreated tail injury.

Paul Wenlock, 43, of Medway, Maldon, admitted causing unnecessary suffering to tortoiseshell Lily, who has now had her tail amputated, when he appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court yesterday.

The RSPCA was called in August, after Lily was founded by a member of the public with the skin ripped off the flesh of her tail.

It is believed Lily had suffered for months, after being in a traffic accident.

RSPCA inspector Caroline Richardson said: "Poor Lily was in great pain and is likely to have been in this state for several months.

"Her tail had no skin or fur- it was just one red raw wound and she left a trail of blood behind her."

Wenlock had taken Lily to the vet in April, saying a car had driven over her tail, but did not take her back to the vet or treat the injury.

In addition to the ban, Wenlock was given a four month suspended prison sentence, ordered to do 200 hours unpaid work and pay £1,056.94 in costs and fines.

Anyone keen to rehome Lily should call the RSPCA Millbrook Animal Centre on 0300 123 0740.