RSPCA inspectors have told animal protesters to keep away from court after announcing the date for Ann Stott's first hearing.

Mrs Stott, who owned the Crewe Animal Rescue Centre and lock-up garages where 140 animals were found dead, will stand before Crewe Magistrates on October 28.

She has been charged with 37 counts of causing unnecessary suffering under the Protection of Animals Act.

Another Crewe resident connected with the rescue also faces 10 counts under the same act.

The gruesome discovery, made by Inspector Neil Mitchell in May, sparked a wave of hatred in the town as the Edleston Road centre was deluged with hate mail and family cars were subject to arsonist attacks.

But Inspector Mitchell said he didn't want any trouble-makers to disrupt proceedings.

"It's not the right place to protest," he said.

"It is a court of law and the court needs to have a fair hearing. I don't think it will help anyone if a load of angry people turn up at the court."

Crewe CID are also pursuing fraud enquiries into the rescue and have re-bailed Mrs Stott after interviewing her last week.

Detective Constable John Ruggiero said she would return to Crewe Police Station on November 19.

"In that time we will hopefully be able to decide what course of action will be taken," he said.

"There has been no decision made because we are still gathering information. The enquiries are still going on and they will do so for quite a few weeks.

"It will be for the Crown Prosecution Service to decide if there's going to be a case."

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