Alan Forbes facing 55 counts of ill-treatment of an animal

A reptile breeder who is facing a high number of animal ill treatment charges has had a warrant issued for his arrest after failing to show up to court.

A South Australian reptile breeder who is facing a large amount of ill treatment charges has failed to show up to his sentencing.

Alan Forbes, 43, failed to show at sentencing submission at the Christies Beach Magistrate court on Tuesday.

Magistrate Maria Panagiotidis declined to proceed with sentencing the snake keeper in his absence, despite adjourning on the last occasion for Mr Forbes to attend in person.

Self represented, Mr Forbes is facing 55 counts of ill-treatment of an animal, all reptiles, after it was alleged he was not providing the animals with sufficient living conditions while also not having the proper permits to keep a number of the reptiles.

Mr Forbes failed to show for his two day trial in October, citing recent floods which had prevented him from being able to drive from the state’s north to the Christies Beach Magistrates Court.

The two-day trial proceeded in his absence.

Alan Forbes facing 55 counts of ill-treatment of an animal. Pic: Facebook

The court heard Mr Forbes emailed the court noting that he would be absent from the proceedings but gave the okay to proceed in his absence.

The court heard the most serious alleged offending relates to 50 of the 55 counts and holds the maximum penalty of two years imprisonment if found guilty.

Alan Forbes has denied any wrong doing. Pic: Facebook

“I’m not dealing with improvement in his absence,” Magistrate Panagiotidis said.

“I’m not saying he’s going to be imprisoned … I need to give him a reasonable opportunity to attend.”

At a previous hearing, the court heard that a warrant was issued in relation to animals on a premises owned by Mr Forbes, in 2021.

The warrant was then executed on June 1 of the same year, with authorities seizing up to 63 live animals, which were transported to the Cleland Wildlife Park for veterinary assessment.

Earlier this year, Mr Forbes was overcome with bowel movements in a general hearing before running out of the courtroom.

A arrest warrant was issued for Mr Forbes and the matter will return to court at a later date.