Man admits pony's death at fair

A man has admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a pony which drowned during a traditional ceremony at a fair in Cumbria.

Ian Deer, of Dymchurch, Kent, purchased the animal at the Appleby Horse Fair before washing it in the River Eden, where it drowned.

He was charged under Section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006, following the incident in June.

The 21-year-old was bailed to return to Eden Magistrates' Court on 20 February.

There will then be a Newton hearing - a special hearing held when a defendant has pleaded guilty but the facts of his or her mitigation are disputed.