A Snowdonia farmer has been cleared yesterday (Wednesday) of keeping premises for use for an animal fight after the RSPCA dropped their case against him.

Evan Bleddyn Thomas, 52, of Cwm Bowydd, Blaenau Ffestiniog, had denied the offence. It followed a surveillance operation by the charity which allegedly discovered badger baiting and animal fighting.

The RSPCA dropped the prosecution against him part-way through their case at Llandudno court.

Defence solicitor Donald Roberts said it had been an “extremely traumatic” experience for Mr Thomas whose “unimpeachable” character had been brought into question. The farmer had received a number of threatening phone calls as a result of the case.

Mr Roberts said the prosecution had claimed he should have known about the alleged illegal activities and done something. He took it the RSPCA now accepted he didn’t know about them.

Defence costs were awarded.

The trial of two other men and a boy of 13 continues.