A GREAT Harwood woman has been banned from keeping animals for five years after one of her two cats died when they were left without regular food for up to 10 days.

Carol Ashton, 30, of Blackburn Road, admitted two charges of neglect when she appeared in court at Hyndburn.

She told the court she had received death threats against her and her 10-year-old son and had gone to stay with friends, though had sent her son to feed the cats.

The bench heard that two RSPCA inspectors called at her home in Orchard Street in September, but there was no reply. When they went to the back of the property they could see the two cats through the window. Lucky, a black and white animal, and Cocoa, a black cat, were in poor condition while two litter trays in the kitchen were full with faeces.

The inspectors returned the next day and found Ashton at home. She told them Lucky had died.

Tulser Goodwin, prosecuting, said: "The room was very dirty and smelled of cat urine. There were lots of flies in the room."

The cats were taken to a vet who said neither had been fed properly for at least 10 days. He found Cocoa "riddled" with fleas and anaemic. When Lucky's body was examined she was found to be very thin and have a "very heavy flea burden".

Peter King, defending, said Ashton had been staying at a friend's house after receiving death threats from someone who had asked her to give false evidence in a court case. She had been visiting the house herself and had asked her son to do so each day to try to ensure the cats were looked after.'

He said: "It's fair to say Miss Ashton did not go every day but she did have her little boy go to the house. He was supposed to meet their needs with regard to food and water. She can't say for sure he did go. He told her he did but when she went she did find it was evident neither cat was eating the whole of the food supply left for them."

Mr King said Ashton had feared for her life after refusing to perjure herself.

"She declined to do that and was threatened by this man with violence. He is a man she knows has firearms at home and she was threatened with her life. Her little boy was told if his mum didn't help him he wouldn't see his mum again.

"She left the house and went to stay with a friend. She reported the threat to the police who felt unable to assist and didn't even go to speak to the man. It was around the end of that period the RSPCA inspectors came to the house."

Presiding magistrate Dr Michael Bolton told Ashton that responsibility for the cats should not have been passed to her son, and Lucky had died as a result of her neglect. As well as the ban Ashton was given a 12-month community rehabilitation order and ordered to pay £250 costs.