By Holly Phillips

Copyright bbc

The RSPCA took the dogs to a vet who said most had prominent ribs and hips with little or no fat.

One of the dogs, Elle, had a missing tail. Welbourn said he sought treatment for her in June last year and was told she needed immediate surgery or putting to sleep, which he claimed he could not afford.

Welbourn said he had owned the vans for two weeks and they were fitted with air conditioning but it did not work.

He pleaded guilty to three Animal Welfare Act offences at an earlier hearing.

The sentencing judge said, having regard to the dogs’ substantial level of pain, it was clear Welbourn was not competent to keep animals.

The court was told Welbourn had mental health issues and had fallen out with his landlord, causing him to temporarily live in one of the vans.