The second installment of a trial of a woman accused of running an illegal pet shop has been scheduled for this spring.

Julie Hutchings, 51, of Beeches Road, Chelmsford, charged with running a non-licensed breeding centre and non-licensed pet shop in 2013, must reappear at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on Monday, April 27.

She first appeared at the court on Monday, February 2, but the trial ran into the evening and was adjourned until Tuesday, February 17.

Animal rights protesters turned up to see the hearing conclude but it was postponed because one of three magistrates was unwell.

Chelmsford City Council, which is prosecuting, says she kept at least five litters of puppies in one year with intent to sell, was dishing out business cards and was advertising the dogs on websites.

But Hutchings claims she was simply quarantining dogs from Moulsham Street shop Aquapets, a routine procedure, and was advertising dogs on their behalf.