Spindles Farm appeals not until next year

Spindles Farm appeals not until next year  Reprot By Andy Carswell Bucks Free Press FIVE members of the same family found guilty in an animal cruelty case will not have appeals against their convictions heard until next year. The charges were brought after more than 30 horse, donkey and pony carcasses were discovered at Spindles Farm in Chalk Lane, Hyde Heath.

The farm's owner, 45-year-old James Gray, and his 16-year-old son James junior, were convicted of nine counts of causing unnecessary suffering to animals and two charges of failing to protect 125 animals from pain, injury, suffering and disease.

Gray senior was sentenced to 24 weeks' imprisonment - but served four days of his term before being released on bail after launching an appeal against the verdict.

He also received a lifetime ban from keeping equines and was ordered to pay prosecution costs of £400,000 following the verdict.

His wife Julie and daughters Jodie and Cordelia were cleared of the charges of causing unnecessary suffering but convicted of failing to protect animals from pain, injury, suffering and disease.

RSPCA spokesman Sophie Wilkinson said all five will appear at Aylesbury Crown Court for the appeal hearing from January 4. The appeal date had originally been set for August 14.

The hearing is expected to last for eight weeks, she said.

All reports on this story HERE

Email this article to a friend or share

---

Voices for Horses offers news and articles from thrid part providers unless otherwise stated. We do not endorse the views expressed or content and make it available to you only as a service. All news items and articles are copyright of the authors and original publications.

<< Back to Amersham Horses