The former boss of an animal hospital is to go on trial accused of causing unnecessary suffering to a sparrowhawk, two kestrels and a chaffinch.

Ray Allibone appeared at Maidstone Crown Court in a wheelchair and did not enter any pleas to the charges.

The 67-year-old, of Diamond Court, Sheerness, ran Swampy's Wildlife Rescue from his home.

He faces four counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal by failing to provide veterinary treatment for two kestrels, a sparrowhawk and a kestrel between December 28 2021 and January 11, which had damaged wings and a humerus.

He is to go on trial at the Nightingale Court at the Great Danes Hotel in Hollingbourne on September 18 next year.

He was granted bail until February 10 when he will have to enter his pleas to the charges brought under the 2006 Animal Welfare Act.