A FARM owner has been warned he could go to prison after being convicted of assaulting a police officer.
James Gray, 44, of Spindle Farm in Hyde Heath, near Amersham, today had his sentencing adjourned until June 10 while pre-sentence reports are compiled.
He was found guilty of assaulting PC James Metcalf at Aylesbury Magistrates Court on May 6, despite not turning up to court.
The incident happened on January 4 when police officers and RSPCA officers went to his farm following reports about “issues relating to horses”.
Julia Jeanes, prosecuting, told the court today that PC Metcalf had felt concerned for his safety after Gray threatened to release a Rottweiler dog on him.
She said Gray later pushed him up against the dog’s cage as he attempted to arrest him for slashing the tyres of an RSPCA vehicle.
The court heard Gray told PC Metcalf: “Come anywhere near me and I’ll nut you”.
Chloe Fordham, defending Gray, said: “There were no aggravating features. Particularly, there was no weapon used. It was an impulsive action and there were no injuries caused to the officer.
“He was in a very stressful situation at time”, she added.
Maureen Lissauer, chairman of the bench, adjourned the sentencing until June 10 and warned Gray “The offences are of so serious a nature we want custody to be considered.”
3:32pm Tuesday 20th May 2008
By Andy Carswell
Full story
THE body of a dead horse has been found at a farm in Hyde Heath.
RSPCA inspectors discovered the carcass at Spindles Farm on Monday after receiving a complaint.
The body of the adult horse has since been removed so a post mortem can be carried out on it, the results of which have so far proved inconclusive, the RSPCA told the Bucks Free Press today.
Its body was not thin or emaciated when it was found and the animal charity has said it is unlikely further action will be taken.
The farm in Chalk Lane was the centre of an RSPCA investigation in January when the bodies of 32 dead horses, donkeys and ponies were discovered.
3:34pm Friday 16th May 2008
By Lucy Clapham
Full story
the trial for RSPCA v James John Gray, Julie Gray, Jodie Gray & Cordelia Gray of
Spindle Farm, Hyde Heath, Amersham, Bucks for cruelty to horses, ponies and donkeys, will begin on 8 December 2008 at Bicester Magistrates Court. The case also involves a juvenile defendant.
At a pre-trial review in Banbury today, District Judge Vickers called for the trial to be listed at Bicester for 10 weeks - from 8-19 December
2008, and then to continue from 12 January - 6 March 2009.
There will be another pre-trial review at 10am on 18 July at Bicester Magistrates Court, which will hear an application by the RSPCA pursuant
to the Criminal Justice Act 2003 to admit the bad character of James
John Gray.
