A 72-year-old Suffolk cattle farmer has denied 29 charges involving animal cruelty and failing in his duty to his animals.

Eric Moss is facing 19 allegations involving Botany Farm, in Farnham, near Saxmundham.

ARP Farms, of Sible Hedingham, near Halstead, of which Moss is a director, is also accused of ten of the offences.

Eight of the charges against both Moss and ARP Farms involve causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal. ARP Farms is also facing two charges in relation to its duty under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

Moss is also accused three offences involving his duty under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and a further eight charges of failing to comply with regulations.

Trading standards officers visited Botany Farm on four occasions in 2013, February 19. February 26, March 23, and May 17,

During those visits there were alleged to have been issues with cattle not being sheltered from the weather, not being provided with sufficient food and not having a well-drained lying area.

The case involved two fields and two barns at Botany Farm and a further rented property nearby called Burnt House Farm. In one field on February 19 a calf was laying motionless with one of its rear hooves trapped in a fence.

Prosecuting counsel Alison Lambert, told South East Suffolk Magistrates Court: “On approach Mr Nunn (a trading standards officer) and his colleague thought the calf was actually dead.”

However, it was released and it ran away shortly afterwards.

The case continues.