Arty way to spot Nessie

breached the terms of his bail which prevented him keeping any live animal. He was found to be keeping fish, which he proceeded to plead guilty to.

“We are delighted that Ross has been dealt with by the courts.”

Welfare officers found the boomslang, a boa constrictor, a python and a Californian kingsnake had been neglected by Ross.

Three of the creatures had been confined to inadequately-sized plastic tubs, injuries had not been treated and there was evidence of malnourishment.

Two lizards had not been looked after properly and one was in such a state it had to be put down.

A bearded dragon found in a filthy tank without water or heat also had to be put to sleep by vets.

A number of turtles didn’t have access to clean water, heating or lighting.

Ross also illegally kept a deathstalker scorpion, two white-lipped vipers, a saw-scaled viper, a puff adder, a Western diamondback rattlesnake, a king cobra and two black-necked spitting cobras.

All of the surviving animals are now being cared for by specialist handlers. NESSIE hunters are guaranteed a stunning sighting of the monster on their next visit to Loch Ness – thanks to a giant sculpture.

The £20,000 work of art, which is nearly 20ft long and 6ft tall, has been installed behind the Dores Inn on the eastern shores of the loch.

The restaurant’s owner Adam Da Silva commissioned the work by Carn Standing, an artist from Banffshire.

Adam said: “There have been wooden, plastic and fibreglass Nessies but no proper work of art. We think she is beautiful.”