This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-65189094

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
New Forest man fined over pony death in speed petition case New Forest man fined over pony death in speed petition case
(about 2 hours later)
Oliver Heywood said the pony jumped on to the bonnet of his BMW X4 Oliver Heywood was fined by a judge at Southampton Magistrates' Court
A man has been fined £600 for killing a pony on a national park road which is notorious for animal deaths.A man has been fined £600 for killing a pony on a national park road which is notorious for animal deaths.
Oliver Heywood, 26, told Southampton Magistrates' Court the animal jumped on to the bonnet of his BMW X4.Oliver Heywood, 26, told Southampton Magistrates' Court the animal jumped on to the bonnet of his BMW X4.
However, the defendant, of Woodgreen, Hampshire, was convicted of driving carelessly on Roger Penny Way in the New Forest in August 2021.However, the defendant, of Woodgreen, Hampshire, was convicted of driving carelessly on Roger Penny Way in the New Forest in August 2021.
The case sparked a petition for average speed cameras in the forest which has attracted more than 74,000 signatures.The case sparked a petition for average speed cameras in the forest which has attracted more than 74,000 signatures.
Commoner Sarah Weston said she was grief-stricken by the loss of her ponyCommoner Sarah Weston said she was grief-stricken by the loss of her pony
Heywood said he had his one-year-old daughter in the back of his car and was obeying the 40mph New Forest speed limit when he struck the pony at about 20:30 BST on 7 August. Heywood said he had his one-year-old daughter in the back of his car and was obeying the 40mph (64km/h) New Forest speed limit when he struck the pony at about 20:30 BST on 7 August.
He told the court: "Something must have spooked the horse. It jumped and landed on the front of my vehicle... then jumped off the vehicle and went to the side of the road."He told the court: "Something must have spooked the horse. It jumped and landed on the front of my vehicle... then jumped off the vehicle and went to the side of the road."
The defendant said the pony jumped on to the bonnet of his BMW X4
District Judge Peter Greenfield said: "I'm not sure about the mechanics of how a pony would do that.District Judge Peter Greenfield said: "I'm not sure about the mechanics of how a pony would do that.
"Roger Penny Way clearly has a problem with horse deaths."Roger Penny Way clearly has a problem with horse deaths.
"He accepts he saw the pony some distance away. He should have slowed down. 40 is just too fast.""He accepts he saw the pony some distance away. He should have slowed down. 40 is just too fast."
Four-year-old Juma was killed on the the B3078 Roger Penny WayFour-year-old Juma was killed on the the B3078 Roger Penny Way
The judge imposed a six-month driving ban and ordered Heywood to pay £620 in court costs.The judge imposed a six-month driving ban and ordered Heywood to pay £620 in court costs.
New Forest commoner Sarah Weston, who set up the camera petition, said she was "grief-stricken" by the loss of her four-year-old pony, named Juma.New Forest commoner Sarah Weston, who set up the camera petition, said she was "grief-stricken" by the loss of her four-year-old pony, named Juma.
In a victim statement read out in court, she said she was no longer letting her ponies roam freely because drivers were "playing Russian roulette" with forest animals.In a victim statement read out in court, she said she was no longer letting her ponies roam freely because drivers were "playing Russian roulette" with forest animals.
Animal road deaths and injuries in the New Forest are at a 30-year lowAnimal road deaths and injuries in the New Forest are at a 30-year low
A feasibility study of the potential to install speed cameras was announced by Hampshire County Council in January 2022. A feasibility study of the potential to install speed cameras was announced in January 2022.
However, Ms Weston said it had been "kicked into the long grass" by the authority, which was still trying to decide what the study should be looking at. New Forest District Council, which is chairing a group of interested authorities, said Hampshire County Council might be ready to commission the study later this year.
The council did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Latest figures show the total number of animals killed, injured and destroyed following New Forest road accidents has fallen to a 30-year low, although the toll of 41 animals killed in 2022 includes 34 ponies.Latest figures show the total number of animals killed, injured and destroyed following New Forest road accidents has fallen to a 30-year low, although the toll of 41 animals killed in 2022 includes 34 ponies.
The national park is one of the largest remaining areas of unenclosed land where commoners' cattle, ponies and donkeys roam throughout the open heath.The national park is one of the largest remaining areas of unenclosed land where commoners' cattle, ponies and donkeys roam throughout the open heath.
Follow BBC South on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to south.newsonline@bbc.co.uk.Follow BBC South on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to south.newsonline@bbc.co.uk.
Related TopicsRelated Topics
Road safetyRoad safety