FOUR men and two boys as young as 13 have pleaded not guilty to charges relating to alleged badger baiting.

Charges included causing or attempting to cause an animal fight and wilfully injuring a badger in February.

The offences are alleged to have happened at a farm at Blaenau Ffestiniog.

Jordan Alexander Houlston, 23, of Alexandra Road, Llandudno, denies 10 charges, including wilfully injuring a badger at Cwm Bowydd farm in Blaenau Ffestiniog, the ill treatment of a badger and being present and taking part in an animal fight and causing unnecessary suffering to the animal, among other charges.

Marc Wyn Morris, 26, of Cwm Bowydd Farm, Blaenau Ffestiniog, denied six charges relating to the alleged incident on 5 February and subsequent care of dogs.

David William Thomas, 51, also of Cwm Bowydd farm, faces charges of wilfully injuring a badger, taking part in an animal fight and being present at the alleged incident and causing unnecessary suffering to the animal on 5 February.

Evan Bleddyn Thomas, 52, also of Cwm Bowydd farm, denied a charge of keeping premises for use for an animal fight.

The trial, likely to last several days, following an RSPCA probe, will be heard by magistrates at Caernarfon.

The case was adjourned until next month.