A man accused of one of the region's worst animal cruelty cases was in court yesterday.
Lee Howard arrived at Bishop Auckland Magistrates' Court, shielding his face with a jacket as he walked from a car.
He faces charges relating to the deaths of 29 animals, whose bodies were discovered at Bank Top Stables, Trimdon, County Durham, in May.
The 39-year-old is accused of causing unnecessary suffering to 13 horses, four dogs, 11 hens and a rabbit by unreasonably confining them in an environment which was detrimental to their welfare.
He is also charged with abandoning three dogs in circumstances likely to cause them unnecessary suffering.
In a brief hearing, Mr Howard, of Beaumont Road, North Ormesby, Middlesbrough, spoke only to confirm his identity.
His solicitor, Clive Booth, applied to have the case adjourned for two weeks to give him time to study the papers and video evidence.
District Judge Michael Wood adjourned the case until Wednesday November 9, and granted Mr Howard unconditional bail.
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