A man who kept a "dangerous" exotic cat in his Bigging Hill home without a licence has been fined £1,500.

Police found the pure-bred serval in an underground room at Daniel Collins’ house on March 29.

The wild cat, native to Africa, was seized after Collins failed to produce the £636 licence required to keep it.

Collins was prosecuted at Bromley Magistrates on October 9 for no licence contrary to Section 1(1) of the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976.

The case was proved in the defendant’s absence and he fined £1500, Court surcharge of £150 and costs awarded of £458.

Councillor Kate Lymer, Executive Councillor for Public Protection and Enforcement, said: “Prosecution is always a last resort for us and this was a serious and also highly unusual example of where a dangerous wild animal, a Serval cat, was being kept without a licence, with the licensing legislation in place to protect individuals and animals.

"Keeping an exotic animal is not the same as a domestic pet - they have special diets and needs with natural instincts that must be met, for example.

"As well as the licensing process enabling the animal welfare to be considered, there is also the equally important issue of public safety, particularly if the animal escapes from its facilities.

"It is important to note that an owner needs to meets the relevant criteria for a licence prior to obtaining the wild animal rather than retrospectively.

"The cat has subsequently been re-homed in suitable accommodation, with this location not being disclosed.”

Servals are known to be affectionate, but require space in order to fulfill their natural instincts.

Bromley Council is looking to place the animal, which is thought have been illegally bred or imported, in a zoo.