Victor the horse at centre of horsemeat scandal is 'alive and well', businessman on trial claims

A Polish horse named Victor at the centre of a horsemeat scandal is "alive and well", according to a businessman on trial accused of passing off the meat as beef.

Andronicos Sideras, 55, was allegedly part of a ring of dealers who conspired to sell "horsebeef" between January and November 2012.

The scheme was thwarted when ID chips from an Irish pony and Victor, a Polish horse, were discovered in slices of meat during a spot-check by environmental health officers at a cold-store in Northern Ireland in October 2012, a court heard.

Sideras, owner of Dino's and Sons, is accused of plotting with supplier Ulrik Nielsen, 58, and his right hand man Alex Beech, 44, to pass off the meat as beef to boost profits.

Nielson and Beech have admitted conspiracy to defraud, while Sideras denies the charge.

Sideras, a sausage and salami supplier, has admitted storing pallets of horsemeat at his cold store, but insisted he has no idea how it had ended up in the products he sold.

In his closing speech, defence lawyer Michael Levy said: "I am not sure the chips have a huge relevance.

"Victor was pretty alive and well according to chip information. It may be possible to alter the information on the chip, but it is impossible to be 100 per cent comfortable."

Mr Levy alleged the prosecution is becoming increasingly desperate to prove his client was involved in the conspiracy.

Sideras, of Southgate, north London, denies one count of conspiracy to defraud.

The jury at Inner London Crown Court began deliberations in the trial on Tuesday morning.