Today at Aylesbury Magistrates Court, District Judge Andrew Vickers drew to a close the longest running animal welfare trial in history by sentencing James Gray (45) from Spindles Farm in Amersham to 24 weeks in prison and banning him from owning and keeping horses for life. He has also been ordered to pay costs of £400,000. A deprivation order has been made for the 111 horses removed from his care.
His 16 year old son James Gray Junior has been banned for 10 years and given an 18 month supervision order. Daughters Jodie (26) and Cordelia (21) have been banned for 10 years and given costs of £500 each and their mother Julie (42) has been banned for 10 years and given costs of £750. All three women have also been ordered to carry out 150 hours community service which must be carried out within 12 months. The family cannot appeal their bans for five years.
It was the worst case of horse welfare abuse in UK history. 32 horses, ponies and donkeys were found dead and 111 were removed from Spindles Farm in January 2008 in an RSPCA led investigation.
Leading international horse charity World Horse Welfare, which took 11 of the Amersham horses, is delighted with today’s result. Says Roly Owers, Chief Executive:
“World Horse Welfare is extremely pleased that justice has prevailed and James Gray has been given a 24 week custodial sentence and banned from owning and keeping horses for life. We are also very relieved that the rest of the family have been given 10 year bans as it will prevent more horses from suffering in their care for a considerable time, but it is essential that the bans are properly enforced.
“Many people will think that no sentence can do justice to the cruelty the Grays inflicted on their horses but this is the most high profile test of new legislation under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and it sends a clear warning message that neglecting and mistreating horses in this way is totally unacceptable and should always carry a heavy punishment.
“After lots of care and rehabilitation, our 11 Amersham horses have fully recovered and we are delighted that we can start to look for loving new loan homes for them where they can look forward to a happy life far removed from the one they experienced in the hands of the Gray family.”
World Horse Welfare Field Officer Nick White was one of the first at the scene back in January 2008 and will never forget what he saw. He says:
“After seeing the conditions in the fields, it wasn’t until I went into the yard that the enormity of it hit me… there were dead horses on the ground in front of me, and to the right. I looked across there was a dead horse in the stalls. It was like walking into another world.
“There were none of the normal noises I associate with a stable yard – horses moving about, eating, drinking, calling out to one another or the gentle noises that horses make when approached, expecting to be fed or cared for. They were totally silent. Even the horses that appeared in better bodily condition seemed to be depressed, almost as if they had lost their dignity.”
James Gray and his son James Gray Junior have today been found guilty on all 11 counts of causing unnecessary suffering and failing to meet the welfare needs of a total of 125 horses. James Gray’s wife Julie and daughters Cordelia and Jodie were found guilty on two Section 9 counts.
It was one of the worst cases of horse welfare abuse in UK history. 32 horses, ponies and donkeys were found dead and over 100 were removed from Spindles Farm in Amersham in January 2008. Sentencing will take place at Aylesbury Magistrates Court in four weeks time.
Roly Owers, World Horse Welfare Chief Executive says: “World Horse Welfare is pleased that justice has prevailed and James Gray and his son have been found guilty on all counts.
“This is the most high profile test of new legislation under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and it must send a clear message that neglecting and mistreating horses in this way is totally unacceptable.
“World Horse Welfare took in 11 of the Amersham horses and after lots of care and rehabilitation, we are pleased to say that they have all now recovered. If we are awarded permanent custody of the horses, we will be looking for loving new loan homes for them where they can look forward to a happy life far removed from the one they experienced in the hands of the Gray family.”
World Horse Welfare Field Officer Nick White, who was one of the first at the scene:
“After seeing the conditions in the fields, it wasn’t until I went into the yard that the enormity of it hit me… there were dead horses on the ground in front of me, and to the right. I looked across there was a dead horse in the stalls. It was like walking into another world.
“There were none of the normal noises I associate with a stable yard – horses moving about, eating, drinking, calling out to one another or the gentle noises that horses make when approached, expecting to be fed or cared for. They were totally silent. Even the horses that appeared in better bodily condition seemed to be depressed, almost as if they had lost their dignity.”
You can watch a video interview with Nick White here:
http://www.youtube.com/profile?v=EYdYiVmXz8I&user=horsecharity
The International League for the Protection of Horses (ILPH) is very pleased that a High Court judge has today adjourned a request by James Gray to be granted an emergency injunction to force the immediate return of 29 ponies and donkeys to him.
“The case has been referred back to District Judge Sandeep Kainth at Oxford Magistrates Court at a date yet to be confirmed. In the meantime the horses will remain in the care of the various welfare agencies involved, including ourselves and the RSPCA. We are continuing to liaise closely with the RSPCA in support of their efforts to explore all available legal avenues in order to secure the future welfare of the 111 horses, ponies and donkeys.
Monday 7th April 2008
The International League for the Protection of Horses (ILPH) is appalled at the implications of the decision made at the plea hearing of John James Gray, and co-defendants, at Oxford Magistrates Court on Friday 4th April.
We are devastated that 29 ponies and donkeys will be returned to James Gray and that the remaining 82 horses taken from Spindles Farm in January this year are to be sold on his behalf at public auction. We will be fully supporting the RSPCA who are pursuing all other legal avenues in order to secure the future welfare of the animals involved.
ILPH Chief Executive Roly Owers comments: “This is the worst possible outcome for the horses and for our staff but is by no means the end of this matter. In addition to the legal efforts to try to reverse last week’s decision by the Courts, Mr James Gray, and co-defendants, will be appearing at Oxford Magistrates Court again on Monday 28th April for another a pre-trial hearing for the criminal case being brought against them by the RSPCA, where a date for a trial will be set.”
