Jaimie Colquhoun sold pups from her car and now faces an animal ban

A Dundee woman who admitted she would be likened to Cruella de Vil has been convicted of selling farmed puppies.

Jaimie Colquhoun bought litters in Ireland and south of the border, as well as dogs from Hungary, before selling them through the Gumtree website.

The 26-year-old found herself at the centre of a Scottish SPCA probe when officers from the animal charity were called in over reports of puppies dying shortly after they were sold in 2015.

The inquiry led to charges of selling dogs at car parks in Angus and Dundee during 2015. At Forfar Sheriff Court, Colquhoun was convicted of what a sheriff described as “serious” offences.

She will return to court for sentencing next month but has been warned by Sheriff Gregor Murray punishment options could include a deprivation order banning her from keeping animals in future.

Colquhoun, of Dunholme Road, had denied charges brought under the Pet Animals Act of 1951 which related to dogs being sold at the Morrisons supermarket car park in Dundee and at Queen’s Drive, Arbroath.

Earlier in the trial, the court heard Colquhoun was offered the chance to go “undercover” and film an Irish puppy farm. In return she said SSPCA officers told her she would be able to avoid court but she declined the offer.

She said she feared being called “Cruella de Vil” after the villainous character from 101 Dalmatians.

Colquhoun made ferry crossings from Holyhead to Ireland to pick up around 10 litters over a number of years.

She said she bought them from a man called Thomas, travelling as a foot passenger and bringing back the pups in carriers after learning about the opportunity through the Gumtree online selling website.

She also admitted buying part of a litter of pups from a man in Birmingham who she met at a petrol station.

At the latest calling of the case on Thursday, Sheriff Gregor Murray rejected a submission by defence solicitor Ian Houston that there was no case to answer. Colquhoun did not give evidence in her defence and was found guilty.

Continuing the matter until November 16, Sheriff Murray said he required a criminal justice background report before he could pass sentence.

“There are certain orders available to me, including a deprivation order in relation to keeping animals, and those will be given consideration,” he said.

An undercover inspector from the Scottish SPCA Special Investigations Unit said: “We are pleased Colquhoun has been found guilty following our investigation.”