A design school student who called himself a fortune-teller specialising in performing witchcraft with animal sacrifices has been remanded in custody after he was allegedly found to have caused suffering to rabbits and white mice.

Tong Cheuk-him was escorted to West Kowloon Court on Friday, two days after his arrest in a sting police operation at Tsuen Wan West MTR station.

The 19-year-old Hong Kong Design Institute student has been charged with animal cruelty under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance. He faces up to three years in prison if convicted.

A senior police officer of the Sham Shui Po district with the case exhibits.

A charge sheet available for inspection by the press said Tong had “cruelly ill-treated; or by wantonly or unreasonably doing an act, caused unnecessary suffering to some animals, namely rabbits and white mice”. No details were provided.

The prosecution asked for a two-month adjournment to allow time for police investigation. Officers would examine the defendant’s mobile phone and bank transaction records, and make inquiries into where the animals came from and the defendant’s clients, the court heard.

Principal Magistrate Ivy Chui Yee-mei snubbed Tong’s bail application after the prosecution objected to his release. Tong will return to court on October 8.