Bosses of a Staffordshire animal rescue centre to face ten day trial over cruelty charges - here's when
A date has been set for the trial of the bosses of an animal refuge charity in Staffordshire who have been charged with cruelty.
Carers Anonymous Animal Refuge Sanctuary (CAARS) rescue centre was raided in November 2024 and 2025 and the centre was banned from accepting animals into its care.
Karen Smith, 69 and of Crook Lane in Walsall; Anthony Barrett, 78, of Red Lane in Essington; and Kayleigh Leavesley, 33, of Roberts Green Road in Upper Gornal, were expected to enter pleas yesterday (Monday, November 17) at Stafford Crown Court.
However, due to Barret being absent due to being in hospital Judge Laura Hobson did not ask Smith and Leavesley to enter pleas - but a timetable for a trial was put in place due to expectant not guilty pleas.
Leavesley, who was unrepresented but previously indicated not guilty pleas, as have Barrett and Smith.The trial will take ten days and will be held on April 26, 2027.
The prosecution under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 is being brought by South Staffordshire Council, who along with other agencies, executed warrants to raid the care centre and removed with 34 dogs, 19 puppies, one cat, five kittens and five tortoises.The raids were sparked by complaints by local residents about the centre.
Bail conditions were renewed on the defendants, preventing Smith from breeding dogs or cats; advertising animals for sale; or accepting any further animals for rehoming or boarding at the premises.
Barrett has yet to surrender, and was described in court as a 'very ill man', and Leavesley has unconditional bail.The three will be asked to officially enter a plea on April 27, next year. The charity itself will also face charges during the trial.
Judge Hobson said: "As Mr Barrett is not here I will not ask you to enter a plea. Miss Leavesley I urge you to get legal representation as soon as possible."
"You will both need to return on April 27, next year when there will be an official plea hearing. If there is to be a trial, as has been indicated, it will be held on April 26, 2027, which is a date you need to keep in your diaries.
"However, there will be defence matters needing to be addressed before then."
