A traveller who left his seven dogs in a converted bus on a hot day has been convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to his pets.

Mark Roberts, 43, denied the offence but was found guilty after a trial at Brighton Magistrates Court.

Roberts, who is staying on land near Devil's Dyke, was cleared of abandoning the dogs.

He was given a 12-month conditional discharge. During the trial, Andrew Foreman, prosecuting for the RSPCA, told the court the dogs were found in the bus parked in Preston Park Avenue, Brighton, in June last year.

Animal welfare officers from Brighton and Hove City Council and the RSPCA went to the bus and firefighters helped open the door.

The bus was 34C (93F) inside. It was described as being hot, humid and airless.

The dogs were taken out and water was poured over them. All the dogs recovered.

Mr Foreman said Roberts turned up two hours later.

He signed over ownership of two dogs to the RSPCA and five were returned to him.

Roberts, a single parent who educates his teenage son out of school, told magistrates he had parked in the shade and left food and water for the dogs. Skylight windows in the bus were left open.

He said he had only been gone an hour.

The RSPCA applied for costs of £2,731 to cover legal fees plus £126 boarding costs and £117 vet's bills.

Magistrate Brian Tyler said Roberts did not have to pay any of the costs because of his way of life and financial means.