Farmer David Holmes has been jailed for six months for breaching his third ban on keeping animals.

Holmes, of Fairdale, Hainsworth Farm, Hen Holme Lane, Silsden, where he owns 90 acres of grassland, was sentenced after continually ignoring court orders which have banned him from owning animals.

The prosecution was brought by Bradford Council following his breach of the order on February 17. The offence came to light when he was seen muck-spreading on his land by a council health officer.

The 54-year-old denied the offence and the case went to trial, with the District Judge, Susan Bouch, finding in the council’s favour.

Sentencing was remitted to magistrates who as well as sending Holmes to prison, issued a new disqualification under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 which has greater powers.

It means he cannot keep or own any animals and cannot participate in any schemes that are involved with animals for the next 10 years. Neither can he apply for appeal against the ban for the next five years.

Holmes already has two previous bans after prosecutions brought by Bradford Council and the RSPCA but he has continued to breach those bans, the District Judge was told.

Jonathan Balsham, Bradford Council’s consultant solicitor, said: “Whilst Holmes keeps on breaching the laws relating to animals, we will continue to prosecute him. He has shown no regard for animal welfare or for the court orders.”

Holmes was made the subject of the lifetime bans in 1999 after an inspection team found emaciated and filthy cattle at his farm.

In 2009 he was caught presenting cattle at Skipton auction mart in Gargrave Road, Skipton, and sentenced to 120 hours’ unpaid work and had to pay £4,548 in costs.