A trainee solicitor who locked her pet dog in a kitchen and left it to die has been jailed for 18 weeks.

Katy Gammon, 27, moved out of her home in Bristol, leaving five-year-old boxer Roxy trapped inside without food or water.

The dog's remains were not discovered until 10 weeks later, when neighbours reported a large amount of flies around the property.

Undated handout photo of Roxy a five-year-old dog, issued by Adam Taylor the ex-boyfriend of solicitor Katy Gammon.

A post-mortem examination found Roxy suffered a "prolonged and painful" death over a six-day period.

Bristol Magistrates Court heard RSPCA inspectors were forced to remove Roxy's remains from the kitchen floor with a snow shovel.

Roxy had shredded part of the kitchen door in an attempt to escape and emptied mops and buckets from cupboards to find water.

Shockingly, Gammon had piled tins of dog food and dog treats outside the kitchen - just feet away from where Roxy was locked inside.

Gammon, of Capel Road, Bristol, later admitted causing unnecessary suffering to the dog and failing to prevent causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.

The solicitor, dressed in a black suit, remained emotionless in the dock as she was told her actions were "deliberate".

Rod Mayall, chair of the bench, told Gammon: "This was prolonged neglect of a dog where she was locked in a house and left to die of starvation and dehydration.

"You have shown limited remorse. Although you were somewhat depressed, you failed to take up at least two offers of alternative housing for the dog. You failed to act as any normal person would.

"This is the most serious incident of animal cruelty that we have encountered in these courts."

Gammon was also banned from keeping animals for life.

She remained emotionless as she was led to the cells.