Animal ban for snake collector

A snake collector who allegedly ran a "dial-a-snake" business from his home was yesterday banned from keeping dangerous animals for 10 years and fined a total of pounds 350. Ian Ramsden, 34, of Sutton, south- west London, pleaded guilty to 53 counts of keeping dangerous animals without a licence and was convicted on two charges of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal, at a two-day trial before Sutton magistrates. More than 60 deadly and dangerous snakes were found in the detached and unlocked garage of his suburban semi during a dawn raid by RSPCA officers and police, the court heard.

Ramsden was banned from keeping dangerous animals and fined pounds 150 for not holding a licence. He was also fined pounds 100 for each of the two offences of causing unnecessary suffering to animals, with pounds 150 costs.