Animal cruelty case against Leigh Johnson and Charlene Latham involving the attempted drowning of Bella the dog is further adjourned

The case against a couple charged in connection with the discovery of Bella the Belgian shepherd dog submerged up to her neck and weighted down in the cold waters of the River Trent has been further adjourned because of covid-19.

Bella, who was found by dog walkers at Farndon and dragged to safety, was near-drowned and has been cared for by the RSPCA, following a discovery that shocked the nation.

Leigh Johnson, 32, and Charlene Latham, 31, of Newark, but living in Ilfracombe in Devon, are jointly charged under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 of attempting to drown Bella.

With Nottingham Magistrates' Court operating at reduced capacity due to the coronavirus, the case has been further adjourned; this time until August 18.