A Norfolk boxer could be banned from keeping or selling wild animals after being found guilty of owning an illegal part-wild hybrid cat.

Michael Walsh, 38, of Norwich Road, Corpusty, a professional featherweight boxer, is due to be sentenced in June for keeping a female Savannah cat and having kept animals to be sold as pets without a licence.

He was found guilty in his absence of offences under the dangerous wild animal act after he failed to attend a hearing last November.

This month Norwich Magistrates Court heard that prosecutors would seek his disqualification under the Dangerous Wild Animal Act.

Eastern Daily Press: Savannah cats are crossbreed of a domestic cat with an African servalSavannah cats are crossbreed of a domestic cat with an African serval (Image: Wikimedia Commons)

Savannah cats, a cross between a domestic cat and an African serval, have become particularly popular on social media owing to their striking looks.

But animal welfare campaign groups have argued that breeds that are part wildcat are unsuitable for most pet owners.

It is illegal to own a first-generation Savannah cat without a special licence.

Magistrates have powers to disqualify people from keeping wild animals to protect the public and safeguard the welfare of animals.