A 29-year-old man has admitted causing unnecessary suffering to 53 sheep, four cows, ten horses and a dog at a farm near Richmond.

James Linsley, of Boldron, near Barnard Castle, County Durham, pleaded guilty to three charges of causing unnecessary suffering and failing to provide for the animals at Woodside Farm, West Layton, in North Yorkshire between February 25 and March 28 last year. The case was heard in front of Judge Adrian Lower at Northallerton magistrates court.

Ten other charges of causing unnecessary suffering and failing to provide for the animals were dismissed. The case was brought by the RSPCA and Trading Standards. The charges involve Linsley failing to address the causes of weight loss and the condition of the animals.

The case was adjourned for reports and sentencing to August 5. At a previous hearing appeals were agreed to allow the RSPCA to take ownership of the animals with a view to selling them.