A man banned from keeping dogs for 10 years after being found guilty of shocking animal cruelty is under investigation again after moving into a Halstead flat with a dog owner.

Robert McElhill, 27, was convicted last month at City of London Magistrates' Court of six counts of cruelty after he kept more than 30 dogs in squalid conditions.

The offences took place in one part of a £4 million mansion in Holland Park Avenue in Chelsea, while a bed and breakfast operated in another part of the building.

The security guard appeared in court using the Chelsea address but he has been living in Brendon Drive in Halstead since late last year.

The RSPCA is investigating the condition of the dogs at the house after a tip-off that McElhill had moved in with the tenant at the property.

After the trial, Sergeant Peter Madden, from the Met’s Dog Support Unit, said: "These dogs were living in appalling conditions with very limited space.

“Many of them had no water and there was no dog food found inside the property.

“There was no outdoor access, no toys or any form of environmental enrichment and they had long nails indicating a lack of outdoor exercise.”

See this week's Gazette for the full story.