A FIESTY ferret in trouble for GBH on others of its kind has been sentenced to life at Dartmoor Prison.

Grumpy Gareth hit the headlines recently after causing havoc at the Woodside Animal Welfare Trust in Plympton. Because he was so aggressive towards others it meant that 14 other ferrets, also needing Woodside's care, were unable to be taken in.

After an appeal was issued for his 'forever' home, Dartmoor Prison staff decided to take, train and socialise Gareth at their special ferrets' section within F Wing. Clad in a hand-made 'broad arrows' coat, Gareth was collected from Woodside last Thursday evening.

A spokesperson for Dartmoor Prison said: 'We already have some ferrets at the prison which help with rodent control — since their arrival the number of rat sightings has dropped dramatically.

'When we saw that Gareth needed a new home, we contacted the Woodside Animal Trust and offered to keep him at Dartmoor.

'Having ferrets like Gareth is also useful as the prisoners help look after them and that in turn helps give them a sense of responsibility.'

Leon Lambert-Gorwyn, supervisor at Woodside, said: 'The warden at the prison fell in love with him from the beginning. He loves people and he loves his cuddles, it was just ferrets he didn't like.'

Sanctuary manager Debbie Haynes said: 'Gareth is an extremely lucky chap. Although we all grew to love him, we were growing concerned about the rising number of unwanted ferrets he was preventing us from taking in.

'Now he'll be "given time" which will hopefully teach him to enjoy the company of others.'

Gareth will now have a large hutch and will get two daily exercise sessions a day — he even has a flower bed to play in!