Buckinghamshire Trading Standards accuses Mr Gray of two charges of failing to dispose of the bodies of ponies and three of failing to disclose a conviction for animal cruelty when applying for a licence to transport animals.

He denied the charges and magistrates at High Wycombe adjourned the trial until a 10-week RSPCA case involving cruelty to 111 equines, concludes. It is due to take place in December.

Mr Gray also denies five welfare charges relating to animals he was transporting through the docks at Dover being brought by Kent Trading Standards.

A two-day trial has been set for 11 November at Ashford Magistrates Court.

Original Article

“We are delighted that this Protocol has come into being so quickly under the chairmanship of Major General Robert Gordon,” says Paul Jepson, chief executive and resident veterinary surgeon of The Horse Trust. “After our experiences at the start of this year, with a horse welfare case of an unprecedented scale, we are determined to try and ensure that no other horses will ever have to suffer in this way again. The protocol is a major step towards this.”

He continued, “This Protocol is a demonstration of how all the related organisations can work cohesively together sharing resources, facilities and expertise and is a triumph for horse welfare.”

One of 15 welfare organisations signing up to the Protocol, launched today (12 June) by the Princess Royal, The Horse Trust is committed to encouraging horse owners and dealers to treat their animals responsibly and in line with the five freedoms through a programme of science, welfare and education.

The five freedoms are:

1. Freedom from Hunger and Thirst - by ready access to fresh water and a diet to maintain full health and vigour.
2. Freedom from Discomfort - by providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area.
3. Freedom from Pain, Injury or Disease - by prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment.
4. Freedom to Express Normal Behaviour - by providing sufficient space, proper facilities and company of the animal’s own kind.
5. Freedom from Fear and Distress - by ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering.

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Gray, 44, was charged with causing criminal damage and assaulting a police officer when his Spindle Farm in Buckinghamshire was searched on 4 January.

Following the search, 111 horses, ponies and donkeys were rescued from Spindle Farm in Hyde Heath, Buckinghamshire, in varying states of neglect. The record-breaking operation attracted widespread interest from the media and public up and down the country.

At Aylesbury Magistrates’ Court on 4 February Gray pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage to an RSPCA van during the 4 January search. He was found guilty in his absence of assaulting PC James Metcalfe at Aylesbury on 6 May.

Gray’s lawyer, Chloe Fordham, told Aylesbury Magistrates Court that the dealer was “extremely upset” during the search. She said James Gray reacted “impulsively” on 4 January when he pushed PC Metcalfe against a dog cage and threatened to set a rottweiler on him.

The court accepted Ms Fordham’s argument. Chairman of the bench Brian Saunders said PC Metcalfe sustained no injuries, and that “emotions were running high”.

Gray was sentenced to 70 hours of unpaid work for criminal damage, and 180 hours for assaulting the police officer, with the two sentences to run concurrently.

He was also ordered to pay £100 compensation to PC Metcalfe, £100 to the RSPCA and £455 costs within 14 days.

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Gray appeared at Wycombe Magistrates’ Court on 21 May and denied five charges brought by Buckinghamshire County Council Trading Standards that included failing to remove 16 horse carcasses from his land and providing false information on an animal transportation licence.

The case was adjourned to Bicester Magistrates’ Court on 18 July.

Gray was also found guilty of assaulting a police officer by Aylesbury Magistrates on 6 May and is due to be sentenced on 10 June.

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (6 June, ‘07)

Original Article

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

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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

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.

James John Gray (05/09/63) of Spindle Farm, Hyde Heath, Amersham, Buckinghamshire; Julie Gray (24/05/67) of Spindle Farm, Hyde Heath, Amersham, Buckinghamshire; Jodie Gray (12/09/82) of Spindle Farm, Hyde Heath, Amersham, Buckinghamshire; and Cordelia Gray (29/05/88) of Spindle Farm, Hyde Heath, Amersham, Buckinghamshire are due to appear at Banbury Magistrates Court at 10am on Tuesday 13 May.

They face 12 charges related to section 4 and section 9 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and cover causing unnecessary suffering to and failing to meet the welfare needs of a total of 125 equines, removed between 4 and 12 January 2008.  

A 15-year-old male, who cannot be named for legal reasons, will also be facing charges in connection with this case.

“The immediate welfare of the animals is secure and we will continue to fight to keep them safe in the future.”

The Gray family, James, aged 44 years, his wife Julie and daughters Cordelia and Jodie, did not attend yesterday’s hearing.

Phillip Williams, representing the family in the civil proceedings, said the animals involved were not part of the Grays’ horse trading business but were family pets and were not at immediate risk in their care.

He said there was one pony called Disadvantaged Jenny who the Grays were willing to surrender to the charity’s care to prevent her from undergoing any further stress.

He said: “The animal has digestive problems and is old and blind.

“Not wanting to put that animal through any further stress James Gray is willing to hand her over.”

He said the RSPCA’s officer had only had a short time to assess the conditions on the Grays’ farm.

Judge Kainth said he agreed with the RSPCA that as the animals were pets their business had not been disrupted by having them confiscated.
He said: “I therefore take the view that a stay is the appropriate way forward.

“My original ruling from the 4th of April is suspended.”

The Judge ordered the Grays to pay the RSPCA’s £3,000 legal fees.

The family is due back at Oxford Magistrates’ Court on April 28 to face criminal proceedings for 12 charges of causing unnecessary suffering to animals that were removed from Spindles Farm between January 4 and 12, 2008.

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