FIVE people who have been charged with animal cruelty in relation to an investigation into the South Herefordshire Hunt have appeared in court. 

They appeared at Birmingham Magistrates Court today and have been released on unconditional bail.

The five charged are: Paul Oliver, 39, of Sutton Crosses, Long Sutton, Lincolnshire; Hannah Rose, 29, of Sutton Crosses, Long Sutton, Lincolnshire; Julie Elmore, 54, of Brynarw Estate, Cwmyoy, Abergavenny; Nathan Parry, 38, of Brynarw Estate, Cwmyoy, Abergavenny, and Paul Reece, 47, of Chepstow.

Oliver, Rose, Elmore and Parry have been charged with four counts of animal cruelty, while Reece has been charged with two counts of animal cruelty.

They did not enter pleas and will next appear in court on June 19.

The five people were first arrested in two years ago on suspicion of animal cruelty at the hunt's kennels in Wormelow.