A farmer facing drug trafficking charges is holding the prison authorities responsible for the death of his livestock after he was not allowed to go and feed his animals as the court had recommended.

Angelo Bilocca, 34, from Siġġiewi, complained that although the court had recommended that he was taken to feed his animals at his two farms, the prison authorities had stopped him from doing so.

In a judicial protest filed yesterday, Mr Bilocca said that a result of this, so far 280 chickens, three pigs and 17 rabbits had died. He said his family members did not know what they had to do to keep them alive.

Mr Bilocca is presently in prison after having been remanded when he pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to traffic one kilogramme of cocaine.

He said there was no reason to deny him permission to be taken to the farms under escort to take care of the animals and held the prison authorities responsible for the damage he suffered.