A BRADFORD man has been handed a suspended prison sentence after causing unnecessary suffering to a pregnant horse that died of an infected neck wound.

Paul Pratt, of Park Crescent, Peel Park, admitted failing to treat the wound, which was caused by a crudely repaired bridle that dug into the horse's flesh over a two-week period.

The 29-year-old was handed a 12-week jail sentence, suspended for two years, ordered to complete 200 hours unpaid work in the community and pay £1,000 costs.

He also received a lifetime ban from keeping, or owning, any animal.

The incident happened between January 23 and February 6 and yesterday Pratt appeared at Bradford and Keighley Magistrates' Court charged with causing unnecessary suffering to an animal by failing to seek veterinary care.

The three-year-old horse, called Princess, was found in a field off Cranmer Road, Bradford on February 6 this year and later died.

Nigel Monaghan, prosecuting, said: "The vets' report says the twine of the collar was too tight, a wound developed and became infected.

"SeptIcemia set in and the horse eventually died. It had a mark under its chin. It had never been to the vets."

Ian Hudson, mitigating, said: "The horse was in a good bodily condition. The injuries were not intentionally caused.

"He accepts he should have paid more attention to the area below the collar."