Two men have appeared in court accused of causing unnecessary suffering to six horses and two dogs.

Samuel 'Johnny' Powell, 34 and Jimmy Price, 25, both had animals seized from Forstal Farm, near Loose, Maidstone last year.

Powell, from Forstal Road, Lenham, is facing five charges of causing unnecessary harm or suffering to horses in his care.

Four of the horses were found to be "very thin," with two veterinary surgeons raising a number of concerns over parasite infestations and illness.

The fifth, a Shetland Pony, had a cut across the nose which went down to the bone. The RSPCA claimed it was caused unnecessary suffering as there was no veterinary intervention.

Powell denies all five charges, claiming the horses were in that state when he bought them.

He explained: "It's not a nice way to put it, but I buy horses that are some times a little worse for wear than others.

"I will buy horses that have not been treated properly. When I get them I feed them, look after them and rehabilitate them. Then I sell them for profit.

"I like to think I sometimes I save lives when I buy horses."

When asked where he buys his horses, Powell said: "I don't want to go into too much detail as I'm from the gypsy community."

Powell was appearing today following an application to adjourn the hearing in the wake of the death of his cousins Joe and Billy Smith in Sevenoaks.

Chairman of the bench, Stephen Blackhurst, said it was not in the interests of justice to adjourn the trial.

The trial, which is being heard at Medway Magistrates' Court, turned to Jimmy Price, accused of causing unnecessary suffering to a horse and two dogs.

Price, who lives on the farm in Well Street, Loose, denied all three charges, saying he was not responsible for the horse as it belonged to his late father.

As for the dogs, Scout and Tramp, Price said they were not his responsibility as he sold them to a friend Jason Holloway.

Magistrates heard both dogs remained on site, and were later seized in March last year. At that point they were 25% and 45% of their usual bodyweight.

Price was asked why he didn't take responsibility for the dogs after the sale.

'You're the wickedest fella I've ever seen in my life' - Footage played in court

He said: "They wasn't my dogs to care for."

The court saw a video Price was sent, appearing to berate him for not feeding either pooch.

A voice in the video was heard to say: "If they run away good luck to them, I tell you what you're the wickedest fella I've ever seen in my life."

Price claimed the dogs were the responsibility of Mr Holloway when the video was sent.

He explained: "Jason didn't take them home straight away as his pens weren't ready."

Jason Holloway appeared as a late witness in today's trial, claiming ownership of both dogs, but saying he and his brother, fed them every day.

Neither Mr Holloway or Price could say the cost of the dogs, or when money changed hands.

When asked why he bought dogs without a pen at his home, Mr Holloway said: "Because I like dogs."

Danny Price, 29, of Victoria Stables, Victoria Court, East Farleigh, pleaded guilty to one charge of causing unnecessary suffering to a bay horse, in return a second charge of causing suffering to a bay mare, a black mare and a piebald mare, was dropped.

He will be sentenced after the conclusion of the trials of the other two men.

The trial continues.

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