FORMER animal sanctuary owner Debbie Stinchcombe has appeared in court charged with causing unnecessary suffering to two rabbits.

Stinchcombe has also denied two charges of abandoning two rabbits.

The prosecution is being brought by the RSPCA.

Stinchcombe, of Lakeside Park, Kington Lane, Stanton St Quinton, pleaded not guilty when she appeared before magistrates at Chippenham on Monday.

The case was adjourned for four weeks when a date will be set for a trial.

Stinchcombe previously ran the Langley Animal Welfare Centre at Kington Langley with her husband Kevin.

The centre, which housed dangerous wild animals including a puma, wolves and wild boar, sparked a furore with its neighbours when a tiger was brought in.

The couple were forced to leave the Ashes Lane centre when the property was repossessed by their mortgage company, Kensington Mortgage Company, for non-payment of arrears.

The family moved briefly to Devizes and are now living in mobile homes in a field alongside the M4.

Neighbours have launched a campaign to have them moved, claiming they are on the land without planning permission.

Residents claim pens are being built and are worried the couple plan to create a new animal sanctuary on the land.

North Wiltshire District Council is to discuss possible eviction action in January.