The convictions come less than a year after the 52-year-old admitted duping customers into thinking their pets had been cremated, when their bodies were actually being stored in freezers at the crematorium.

Cats, dogs and an iguana were found stored in chest freezers, even though their bodies had supposedly been returned to their owners.

The crematorium was described as like 'something out of a horror movie' by District Judge Jack McGarva, who ordered McMaster to pay £6,345 in costs and compensation after the crematorium owner pleaded guilty to five charges of fraud and four counts of failing to comply with regulations regarding horse carcasses in November 2015.

Despite his crimes last year, McMaster was allowed to carry on his business - a decision which was slammed by the The Association of Private Pet Cemeteries and Crematoria.

Stephen Mayles, vice chairman of the association, said at the time: "For the life of me, I can’t understand why Mr McMasters has been allowed to carry on his business. The sentence was ridiculously lenient."

And now, 11 months after last appearing in court, McMaster has been sentenced at North Staffordshire Magistrates Court to 12 weeks in prison, suspended for a year, 250 hours of unpaid work, 15 days of rehabilitation to deal with his behaviour and fined £2,000.

County Councillor Gill Heath, Cabinet Member for Environment and Rural Issues, said: “Mr McMaster was in a position of trust, and he has let down the people he was supposed to be helping.

“I think it is clear that the business being operated by McMaster has had serious issues, nevertheless, there is no excuse for betraying the trust of customers, and failing to keep accurate records.

“We will also seek to prosecute people who flout the law and don’t adhere to regulations.”