Wrestler accused of harming snake

A former American wrestler has appeared in court charged with causing unnecessary suffering to a snake.

Aurelian Smith Jr, 48, of London Colney in Hertfordshire, appeared as Jake "The Snake" Roberts in WWF fights in the USA in the late 1980s.

On Wednesday he appeared at St Albans Magistrates accused of starving a snake to death in August and September 2003.

Mr Smith and partner Valerie Burnham, 59, who faces the same charge, were bailed to return to court on 11 March.

It was alleged they kept the snake, a 12ft Burmese python called Damien, in unsatisfactory conditions in their home.

Bruce Kent, prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, asked for the case to be adjourned to allow more time to prepare paperwork.

As part of his wrestling show, Mr Smith would bring a snake to the ringside in a sack and would drape it over the bodies of his opponents after knocking them out.