Man sentenced for dumping bodies of giant tortoises in Devon woodland

The Aldabra tortoises ‘required very specific knowledge and care’, the judge said. Photograph: Xinhua/Shutterstock

An animal enthusiast has admitted dumping the bodies of 10 giant tortoises in Devon woodland after they died from the cold when the heating failed over Christmas.

Gary Priddle, 56, an electrician who kept more than 50 tortoises at his home in Exeter, had left the animals alone over the festive period and when he returned the 10 Aldabra tortoises were dead.