Spindles Farm horse killer pleads not guilty (UK)

2008 February 5
tags: , , ,
by JadedMare

THE resident of the farm where 32 horses were found dead pleaded not guilty to two of three charges related to an RSPCA search of the property Monday, February 4th at Aylesbury Magistrates Court.

James Gray, 44, of Spindles Farm, Hyde Heath pleaded not guilty to assault of a police officer and resisting a police officer in the execution of their duties in a hearing held. He pleaded guilty to one count of criminal damage to the tyre of an RSPCA van.

The offences are alleged to have taken place on January 4 when the farm, near Amersham, was visited by police and the RSPCA.

Gray was granted unconditional bail and will go on trial at Aylesbury Magistrates Court on May 9 for the two charges he pleaded not guilty to.

In the meantime, Gray is under investigation for offences under the Animal Welfare Act.

Outside the court about 30 police, onlookers and photographers gathered to await the hearing.

In a related story, Horse and Hound reports:

    Two more dead horses have been found at a location in Buckinghamshire.

    Trading Standards are currently investigating whether the horses have any link to Jamie Gray, the owner of 111 horses, ponies and donkeys rescued from Spindles Farm near Amersham on Wednesday.

    The massive rescue operation on Wednesday was one of the biggest on record in the UK. It was coordinated by Thames Valley Police, Trading Standards and the RSPCA with help from the Horse Trust, the International League for the Protection of Horses (ILPH), Redwings and The Blue Cross. The situation has been described as shocking, horrific and beyond comprehension by all involved.

    A spokesman for Buckinghamshire Trading Standards said an investigation into what was discovered at Spindles Farm would be “very quick”.

    One of the horses who survived the horse holocaust in Amersham where 34 died and so far 111 have survived.

    While the 111 equines are recuperating with the help of horse charities across the country, 34 others were not so lucky. Some 31 dead equines were found last weekend, and three others were put down on the advice of vets. Post mortems are being carried out on the carcasses and remains of other equines found on site.

End.

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