A Workington man has admitted being in control of three dogs despite an order banning him to do so.

Jamie Atkinson, 25, of Firth View Walk, admitted the offence when he appeared before district judge Gerald Chalk at Workington magistrates court on Friday.

Diane Jackson, prosecuting, said Atkinson's order was imposed in 2012 as a result of an offence when two dogs killed a cat.

She said officers attended his address in September after a call alerting them he might be breaching his disqualification order.

There they found him alone with three dogs.

She added: "When he was interviewed he said two dogs belonged to his girlfriend and one to a friend. There were still two months of that order to go."

Ryan Foley, defending, said that because of work commitments of his girlfriend he had to breach the order.

However, there were no concerns for the safety of the dogs and the landlord no longer allowed pets at the property.

Judge Chalk told Atkins imposed a 12-month community order and told him to do 60 hours of unpaid work. He also ordered him to pay £170 in costs.