The 61-year-old trainer and her husband, Roger Cawley, 64, face cruelty charges relating to the care of animals at their winter training quarters near Andover, Hampshire.

Geeta Guru-Murthy's report includes the Animal Defenders video evidence

The court heard how the alleged acts of cruelty were secretly caught on camera by members of the charity, Animal Defenders, at the farm between October 1997 and January last year.

Mary Chipperfield, who gave her name in court as Mary Cawley, denied 21 charges under the Protection of Animals Act 1911, while her husband denies seven charges under the same act.

The farm where the animals were kept

Stipendary magistrate Roger House watched film footage of Mr Cawley beating a camel across its face to make it run around the circus ring.

He was also shown whipping Flora, a "very sick" elephant who the prosecution said had discoloured skin caused by injuries, to make her parade in the ring.

The video also allegedly showed the couple's employee, Stephen Gills, beating an elephant called Tembo with a spade and an iron bar.

There were also scenes of Mary Chipperfield beating an 18-month-old chimpanzee called Trudy with a riding crop.

For several minutes, the animal appeared to scream in distress as she tried to coax it into its cage. In another shot, Mrs Chipperfield was seen to kick the chimpanzee.

Beatings 'did no harm'

Charles Gabb, the prosecuting lawyer, said the chimpanzee was also left alone to sleep in a dog box in a dark barn with no toys, while elephants at the farm were never bathed or taken outside.

The court was also told how Mrs Chipperfield did not believe that the beatings had done any harm to the animals and did not consider them to be "gratuitous".

Mrs Chipperfield and her husband jointly face 28 charges including counts of causing unnecessary suffering, permitting unnecessary suffering and environmental deprivation.

The charges carry a maximum of six months in prison or a £5,000 fine. The trial continues.