A CASE against two women charged with causing unnecessary suffering to animals has been adjourned to see if their partial guilty pleas are acceptable.

North East Wales Magistrates’ Court at Mold was told that the RSPCA would need to be consulted over a basis of plea to be submitted by Joy Veronica Edwards, 61, of Cherrywood, Gwespyr near Holywell, and Phillipa Edwards, 36, of the same address.

Both faced 12 charges concerning a number of horses, cats and a couple of dogs and defending solicitor Bob Vickery entered guilty pleas on their behalf to some of them.

He said that Joy Edwards admitted five charges and Phillipa Edwards two charges.

Mr Vickery said that he would write a detailed letter to the prosecution in which a number of issues needed to be addressed.

They still had nine horses and three dogs and if a disqualification order was applied for, which would cause them great concern, the question would arise why they had been left to care for them in the meantime?

A horse named Binka and a dog named Ben had been humanely put down by the RSPCA after they had been seized last year.

Phillipa Edwards was prepared to plead guilty to two charges involving one dog and one horse.

At present the RSPCA was paying the cost of housing seven or eight horses, two dogs and 14 cats and his clients were prepared to sign them over to the RSPCA which he said was clearly a positive feature.

But that was subject to two animals, a dog and a horse, potentially being returned to them.

Prosecuting solicitor Glen Murphy said that the mixed pleas and the defence basis of plea would need to be considered and the RSPCA consulted over the proposals before any indication could be given whether the pleas were acceptable.

Deputy District Judge Roger Lowe agreed to adjourn the case until October 24 for the issues to be clarified.

They were granted unconditional bail in the meantime.

Mr Vickery formally entered guilty pleas on their behalf to some of the charges.

Joy Edwards admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a Palamino mare known as Binka by failing to provide adequate veterinary care for a problem to its mouth, and for a problem with its fetlocks; causing unnecessary suffering to a Collie dog known as Ben by failing to provide adequate veterinary care for its poor body condition and ulcerated skin; and failed to protect four cats by not providing veterinary care for ear mites and failing to provide adequate diet, especially ready access to fresh water.

Phillipa Edwards admitted failing to provide a Jack Russell terrier type dog known as Raven with a suitable environment and causing unnecessary suffering to one horse named Duckie.