A pet owner has been banned from keeping animals for life after causing “unnecessary suffering” to a gecko and failing to properly look after her six cats and two dogs.

The 44-year-old woman from High Wycombe has now been handed a suspended prison sentence and fined £230 – but may never be allowed to keep animals again.

Following an investigation by the RSPCA, Julia Paxton was hauled in front of magistrates and pleaded guilty to a series of crimes against animals.

The Hunters Hill resident admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a dog by failing to address a skin condition, causing unnecessary suffering to another dog by failing to address weight loss and causing unnecessary suffering to a gecko by failing to address an injury.

She also pleaded guilty for not meeting the needs of two dogs and six cats.

After admitting the crimes, Paxton was told she had been disqualified from keeping animals for life, though she can can apply to the courts to terminate this order after five years.

She was given an eight-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to pay £150 costs and a victim surcharge of £80.

She pleaded not guilty to another offence of causing unnecessary suffering, which was accepted by the court.