A WOMAN stopped feeding or watering her lizard for a month, a Swindon court heard.

Bearded dragon Ellie was so malnourished she had developed metabolic bone disease. A vet had to put the pet down.

Last week, Sophia Morton, 23, of Sandalwood Road, Westbury, was convicted in her absence at Swindon Magistrates’ Court of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.

She was not present at court and the justices issued a warrant for her arrest.

Yesterday, Morton appeared before the court via video link from Melksham police station.

Her solicitor, Richard Williams, said the mum had not received a letter informing her of the trial date or the case papers prepared by the RSPCA.

He said his client had mental health difficulties and had no previous convictions. He asked for the case to be adjourned for a pre-sentence report and enquiries to be made with her GP.

Putting the case off to April 15 at Swindon Magistrates’ Court, chairman of the bench Peter Hyson urged Morton to get a lawyer for the next hearing. “These are serious charges, you are aware the entry point for sentence could be 18 weeks’ custody so you are strongly advised to seek out legal advice.”