A trial into the unnecessary suffering of two guinea pigs, including one thrown out of a window, will not be heard at Crown Court. 

Judge David Pugh directed that not guilty verdicts should be entered on all the charges after the prosecution offered no evidence on them on Tuesday, but the case will be heard at magistrates. 

Chantelle Slinn, 27, of George Street, Ipswich and Sophie Egan, 25, of Shenstone Drive, had denied causing unnecessary suffering to a guinea pig by failing to provide adequate care and supervision resulting in it being thrown out of a window and were due to face a trial at Ipswich Crown Court in May.

Slinn had also denied causing unnecessary suffering to a guinea pig by failing to provide necessary veterinary care for it after it was thrown out of the window, two offences of permitting unnecessary suffering.

At an earlier hearing, Judge Pugh expressed concern about the matter being brought to the Crown Court at a time when the criminal justice system was under strain due to a backlog of cases.

He said defendants and complainants were waiting significant periods for their cases to come to court and the case of Egan and Slinn would have taken up to three days of court time which could have been spent on cases such as serious sex assaults on children and adults.

“I questioned as to whether in those circumstances the prosecution could be said to be in the public interest, let alone a good use of the charity’s donations,” said the judge.

“I am therefore pleased to note the RSPCA have taken my observations into account and have reconsidered, the result being that they have determined not to proceed on those matters which would involve a Crown Court trial.”

Although the crown court proceedings have ended the women are due to attend magistrates court next month to face charges relating to the same incident.