A WOMAN who has been charged with animal welfare offences after more than 30 puppies were found in a caravan failed to turn up to court due to "travel anxiety".

Brighton magistrates were told that Micaela Anderson-Letts, 32, of Cranmer Road, Hayes, was unable to make the journey for a court hearing on April 14.

It follows an investigation by Sussex Police’s rural crime team into reports of illegal puppy imports.

Anderson-Letts was arrested after she arrived in the UK through the Channel Tunnel on January 30.

She has been charged with animal welfare offences and breaches of an animal banning order.

The charges relate to the discovery of more than 30 puppies, who were found in “very poor health and conditions” in a caravan in Eastbourne in July last year.

Further charges were made relating to the sale of more puppies in December last year, in direct breach of a banning order.

She was remanded on conditional bail and her case was adjourned for a plea hearing before Brighton magistrates on July 7.