Puppy torturer to pay back just £1 of £12,000 earned

A PUPPY torturer was ordered to pay back just £1 of the £12,000 he earned through the cruel practice, but his punishment has been praised by prosecutors, writes Kieran Andrews, political editor.

The Crown Off ice yesterday revealed that £8 million was seized from criminals in Scotland last year under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

In a press release, the body singled out the case of Charles Swan of Stirling, who pleaded guilty to keeping 57 animals in squalid conditions without adequate bedding or food at the illegal site in Airth.

T h ey we r e found covered in lice, skin scabs and infections, while a female Rottweiller had lost both her ears during a dog fight at the farm.

The Crown Off ice calculated the “benefit” from Swan’s criminal conduct at £12,340.

However, it said his financial circumstances meant he has no assets available to pay the confiscation order, so a “nominal” amount of £1 was taken.

He was also jailed for eight months.

The statement praised the action, saying: “A man who ran an illegal puppy farm where animals suffered cruelty and neglect as he tried to maximise his income also had a confiscation order imposed to ensure he cannot profit from the misery he caused.”

Scottish Conservative chief whip John Lamont said: “Cases such as this render the act utterly pointless.”

Sad sight: Lizzie was found in a terrible state at premises run by Charles Swan.