A WOMAN guilty of animal cruelty at a £4.5 million estate near York has started an appeal against her sentence.

Pamela Palmer, 63, and her son Joseph, 31, were banned for life from keeping animals and given suspended sentences after pleading guilty to an “abhorrent” case of neglect at Sheriff Hutton Park, in Sheriff Hutton.

Five sheep had been locked in a derelict building and left to starve and a bull and cow had to be destroyed due to their poor state of health.

Yesterday Joseph Palmer dropped his appeal against the punishment – which included 100 hours’ work and a £1,000 charge for costs – due to work commitments overseas. He was told he would have to pay £750 payable over two years for the cost of beginning the appeal.

Pamela Palmer – who was banned from entering Sheriff Hutton for six months and told to pay £500 court costs – did not appear in court due to ill health but intends to continue with the appeal process.

Recorder Eric Elliott QC, sitting with two magistrates, adjourned the hearing so she could attend on December 13.