News stories
Amersham sentencing announced
29 ponies and donkeys here at Redwings are one step nearer to being finally secure after 18 months of living with the threat of being returned to the owner they were rescued from. We are relieved beyond words that the future of equines such as football-playing Pinocchio and young donkey Esther (pictured below) is a step closer to being finalised, pending the outcome of the defendants' appeal against their sentences.
Esther and her mum shortly after their arrival
Last month James Gray and his son James Junior were found guilty on all 11 charges relating to the Animal Welfare Act. Julie Gray and daughters Cordelia and Jodie were found guilty on two charges. On Friday 12th June 2009 they received their sentences at Aylesbury Magistrates Court.
James Gray was sentenced to 24 weeks in prison, and banned from keeping equines for life. He was also ordered to pay £400,000 costs. James Gray Junior was ordered to complete an 18 month supervision order and banned from keeping equines for 10 years. Julie Gray, Jodie Gray and Cordelia Gray were ordered to complete 150 hours of community service and were banned from keeping equines for ten years. Julie Gray was ordered to pay £750 costs, and Cordelia and Jodie Gray were ordered to pay £500 each in costs.
All five family members have lodged an appeal against their conviction and sentences and following an application to the Crown Court on Tuesday 16th June, all sentences have been suspended until a date can be set for the appeal hearing, which may take many months to be heard. James Gray has been released from prison on bail but is not permitted to have any dealings with horses until the appeal is heard.
The case, which attracted an outpouring of public horror and prompted so many of you to send in your messages of support, concerned unnecessary suffering to and failing to meet the welfare needs of a total of 125 horses, ponies and donkeys removed between 4 and 12 January 2008 from Spindles Farm, Amersham, Bucks. Twenty-nine currently live here at Redwings, and we have also offered a home to ten more who are expected soon from RSPCA lodgings.
Esther, as she looks now
Two-month old donkey foal Esther with her soft brown coat and soulful eyes became the nation’s darling, inspiring appeals around the country. Timothy the donkey was born the day after the rescue to his exhausted mother, Mary. Esther remains cautious but Timothy, who knows nothing other than life at Redwings, loves human fuss.
Pinocchio (left) and Timothy at Redwings
Miniature Shetland pony Pinocchio was a year old when he was rescued from Spindles Farm. He weighed just 46kg on arrival, equivalent to two bags of feed. He doubled his weight in the following ten months. When he arrived he was classified by our resident vets as “body condition score 0-1/2” which is as thin as an equine can be before they are considered to be facing death. Pinocchio had lice, breathing problems, wasted muscles and he was riddled with worms. Fully recovered, Pinocchio is now full of personality and has discovered a knack for football that would make Sir Alex Ferguson reach for his chequebook!
>>>Watch Pinocchio in action on You Tube here!
Our Chief Executive Lynn Cutress said: “It would be our privilege to give these animals the best possible care for the rest of their lives. Seeing Pinocchio play with his football without a care in the world makes it all worthwhile.”
Head of Welfare at Redwings, Nicolas De Brauwere, who gave veterinary evidence during the trial and was present at the site managing our involvement said: “This has been a landmark case which shows what the new animal welfare act can deliver to protect all the animals in need of help and not just the extreme cases. We are delighted with this result. We feel very proud we were able to respond at very short notice, using our large-scale round-up skills developed over the years, to support the RSPCA in safely loading and transporting some of the equines involved in this operation."
Thank you again to all our supporters – we just could not do what we do without your support and generosity, and we still need your help. If you would like to help us continue caring for these very special ponies and donkeys, please donate to our Esther's Rescue appeal today >>>>>
