Elephant suffering trial

Circus owner Bobby Roberts was given a three year conditional discharge.

Bobby Roberts, 69, who ran Super Circus in Polebrook, Cambridgeshire, was found guilty by District Judge David Chinnery following a five-day trial at Northampton Crown Court.

Bobby Roberts was found guilty at Northampton Crown Court of allowing Anne to be chained by her front and rear leg at all times, of failing to take steps to prevent his employee mistreating her and of failing to make sure the needs of a protected animal were met.

Circus owner Bobby Roberts has been found guilty of 3 charges related to causing suffering to Anne the elephant.

His wife Moira Roberts was cleared of all charges.

The owner of a circus elephant said he was disgusted when he saw footage of the animal being struck with a pitchfork.

Bobby Roberts is accused of allowing his staff to beat Anne - a 58 year old Asian elephant - at the Circus's winter quarters at Polebrook near Peterborough.

He told District Judge David Chinnery at Northampton Crown Court that he had no knowledge of the behaviour towards the elephant

The court has been shown footage filmed secretly by animal welfare group Animal Defenders International (ADI) of the animal being beaten at the circus's winter quarters in Polebrook, Cambridgeshire, last year.

The footage, filmed last year, also showed Anne constantly chained to the ground.

The elderly elephant could be seen chained by one foot and one hind leg in a barn. The legs of the animal - who the prosecution allege was not receiving medication for its arthritis - could also be seen to buckle several times.

Mr Roberts told the court he was unaware Anne was constantly chained.

Roberts and his wife also deny a charge of failing to ensure the elephant's needs were met by not giving her medication for her arthritis.