October 26, 2018 1.56 pm This story is over 64 months old

Four Paws trial adjourned until December

The family members face multiple charges

The case looking into the multi-agency raid at the Four Paws Veterinary Centre, where 160 dogs and cats were rescued earlier this year, has been adjourned until December after a court hearing on Friday morning.

As previously reported, the former owner of the centre in South Killingholme Jodie Fairbrother and family members Paul and Libby-Jo Fairbrother, all of Nar Fokak in Cyprus, were each charged with 17 offences ahead of a hearing at Grimsby Magistrates Court in Friday, October 26.

All three were previously each charged with 13 counts of causing unnecessary suffering to proceed animals and four counts of animal welfare offences under a prosecution being brought by the RSPCA.

Multiple dog ambulances and rescue vehicles were seen on scene.

After this week’s hearing the case of Jodie and Paul Fairbrother has been adjourned for a plea and case management hearing on Friday, December 7 in respect of all matters.

Attendance will be excused for this hearing as they will be represented, but no details can be released on the other family member due to their age and reporting restrictions.

Police and RSPCA officers raided the vets centre near Grimsby

The animals were previously rescued when police and RSPCA officers raided the centre on March 22, where dogs and cats were reportedly being kept in cages full of excrement and urine.

Back in August the RSPCA announced that all privately owned animals rescued in the raid have been returned to their owners.

The remaining dogs and cats who are without owners will remain in the care of the RSPCA and Dogs Trust.

It was revealed by the RSPCA back in June that some dogs tested positive for serious transferrable diseases after the raid. The RSPCA tested nearly 150 dogs from outside the UK in connection with the raid.