An unlicensed puppy breeder has been banned from keeping animals after mobile phone footage emerged of him striking dogs with a piece of wood.

Christopher Gorman, 54, was filmed by a witness who was alerted by the sound of the animals barking in the back garden of the accused's home in Plains, North Lanarkshire.

The witness contacted the Scottish SPCA and its inspectors were granted permission to carry out a search of the premises.

Airdrie Sheriff Court heard they found a "large number" of dogs being kept in the garden, which was covered in faecal matter and described as "filthy".

Inside the house, two mastiff puppies were found lying beneath a radiator in a room next to the kitchen.

One of the puppies was dead from canine parvovirus and the other was in such poor health the decision was made to put it down.

On Tuesday, Gorman was given a lifetime ban on keeping animals and fined £2600.

Sara Shaw, Head of the Crown Office's Wildlife and Environmental Crime Unit said: "This was a case of widespread and indiscriminate neglect.

"The dogs in Gorman's care were caused terrible and unnecessary suffering with Gorman failing to provide them with a suitable environment or adequate care."

It later emerged Gorman had been banned from keeping animals for ten years earlier this year.

An undercover Scottish SPCA inspector said: "This case has highlighted his ongoing cruelty and we're delighted that he has been dealt with by the courts.

"Mr Gorman made it very clear that he had no intention of stopping his activities and we are very pleased that our investigation and the subsequent prosecution will prevent further suffering to the dogs and puppies that were in his care and also prevent him from causing other dogs and puppies to suffer as a result of his future actions."