A farmer has admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a sheep which was trapped in a fence for two days with eyes pecked by birds.

The animal had to be put down by a vet but defendant Selwyn Roberts, 56, of Henllan, near Denbigh, had suggested doing so with a knife, a magistrates heard.

Julia Longworth, prosecuting at Caernarfon court, said the ewe was found when trading standards officers were called to Pengwern Farm after a member of the public reported that carcasses could be seen from a footpath.

She added: “They found the ewe caught on a fence breathing shallowly and an eye appeared to be pecked out.”

It was twitching and when a vet arrived Roberts appeared annoyed and said the ewe should be treated rather than killed. He dragged the animal from the fence and then said it could be killed with a knife but it was euthanised by the vet.

Roberts, who farmed alone,  also pleaded guilty to a similar charge of causing unnecessary suffering to a sheep and lamb by failing to get veterinary help at a birth, which resulted in the death of both animals in April last year.

There were guilty pleas to 13 other charges, including failing to dispose of 20 carcasses, open to birds and some crawling with maggots, failing to tag sheep, obstructing an officer, breaching farming regulations and not making an annual inventory.

He was bailed until next month to obtain a pre-sentence report from the probation service.

Chairman Professor Trevor Ashenden told Roberts this was due to the nature and totality of the offences.

He said: “We are keeping all our sentencing options open including committing to the crown court for sentence.”

Defence solicitor Eifion Roberts told the court the defendant kept 1,200 sheep in 380 acres and had farmed all his life. His father died in 2014 but because of a probate dispute going on after five years he had been unable to draw a payment of between £20,000 and £30,00 from the Welsh Government last year. He relied on these payments to make ends meet and his financial and personal problems “led to deterioration on the farm”. He owed £15,000.

The solicitor explained: “He was wanting to comply with regulations but didn’t have the means and couldn’t afford anyone else to do it. He’s an old fashioned farmer but not very good at paperwork.”

There had been no complaints since June last year.