NICOLA BARNES OF MUSSELBURGH CONVICTED OF ANIMAL NEGLECT IN EAST LOTHIAN

Nicola Barnes, also known as Serapheena Moon or Claire Kelly, born around 1975 and residing on Dalrymple Loan in Musselburgh EH21, was convicted in 2019 of failing to provide proper care for her pets. She neglected her two animals, a senior cat named Ash and an eight-year-old Staffy dog named Arael, both suffering from severe skin conditions due to flea infestations.

Barnes, a mother of three who works as a spiritualist, admitted neglecting the animals. Sadly, Ash was in such poor health that she had to be euthanized, and Arael was seized by the Scottish SPCA.

Neighbours noticed the animals’ conditions at Barnes’s former home on Whitecraig Crescent in Musselburgh and contacted the Scottish SPCA. Inspector Stephanie McCrossan responded to the scene, describing Ash’s condition: “I arrived at the property and noted Ash looked extremely malnourished and was trying to eat from an empty crisp packet. I offered her some cat meat which she devoured. I could see she had four large green infected-looking sores along her side.”

Regarding Arael, the inspector said, “She was suffering from extensive hair loss and had open sores on her body. It was clear she had an obvious skin condition and smelled very strongly of yeast. There were open sores on her body and extensive hair loss.”

Both animals required urgent veterinary care. The assessment revealed Ash had a body score of 2/9, weighed only 3.2kg—below the typical 4-4.5kg for her breed—and was suffering from bacterial conjunctivitis, anemia, and heart murmur. Arael had a body score of 3/9, weighed 13.6kg, and showed signs of self-trauma, infected sores, and ulceration.

A severe flea infestation was evident in both animals’ coats. Tragically, Ash’s condition worsened rapidly, and veterinary staff decided to euthanize her on welfare grounds. Inspector McCrossan commented, “The suffering Ash and Arael faced was unnecessary and could have been easily avoided with proper diet and vet attention. This level of neglect didn’t happen overnight.”

In May 2017, Barnes pleaded guilty to causing two animals unnecessary suffering. Her partner, Allen Smogar, aged 33, faced not guilty pleas that were accepted by the Crown.

Barnes’s lawyer, Liam Kildare, explained that her pets, both a pup and a kitten, had seasonal skin issues which would flare up intermittently. He added, “She had attended a local vet a number of years ago but chose to treat the skin complaints herself using Aloe Vera cream and coconut oil. She accepts she did not seek further veterinary advice. She attributes some of the cat’s skin conditions to old age and used various skin products on her.”

Kildare emphasized, “This is not a case where Miss Barnes did nothing. She did love these animals very much.”

Regarding sentencing, Barnes was fined £360 and received a two-year ban from owning any animals, which has since expired.