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 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-23201997
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Horse trader Tom Price jailed for cruelty and Asbo breach | Horse trader Tom Price jailed for cruelty and Asbo breach |
(35 minutes later) | |
A horse trader has been jailed for eight months and banned from keeping horses for five years after being found guilty of 57 animal welfare and cruelty charges. | A horse trader has been jailed for eight months and banned from keeping horses for five years after being found guilty of 57 animal welfare and cruelty charges. |
Tom Price, 48, from Wick in the Vale of Glamorgan, caused unnecessary suffering to 18 horses and received a six month sentence at Cardiff Magistrates' Court. | |
It will run concurrently with an eight month sentence he received for a breach of an anti-social behaviour order. | It will run concurrently with an eight month sentence he received for a breach of an anti-social behaviour order. |
The RSPCA believe he has 2,500 horses. | The RSPCA believe he has 2,500 horses. |
The horses were found at five locations in south Wales and the court heard 12 animals had been "left to die" in a Bridgend barn. | The horses were found at five locations in south Wales and the court heard 12 animals had been "left to die" in a Bridgend barn. |
Price's 26-year-old son, Thomas Hope Price, was also found guilty in June. | Price's 26-year-old son, Thomas Hope Price, was also found guilty in June. |
'Shocking and horrendous' | 'Shocking and horrendous' |
On Friday, district judge at Cardiff Magistrates' Court Bodfan Jenkins ordered the pair to pay £43,000 each in court costs. | On Friday, district judge at Cardiff Magistrates' Court Bodfan Jenkins ordered the pair to pay £43,000 each in court costs. |
It comes after the RSPCA found evidence of neglect and unnecessary suffering to horses in five locations across Bridgend and the Vale of Glamorgan. | It comes after the RSPCA found evidence of neglect and unnecessary suffering to horses in five locations across Bridgend and the Vale of Glamorgan. |
Mr Jenkins said both men had both been involved in a large and wealthy concern breeding gypsy cobs and the conditions they were kept in were shocking and horrendous" and almost beggared belief. | Mr Jenkins said both men had both been involved in a large and wealthy concern breeding gypsy cobs and the conditions they were kept in were shocking and horrendous" and almost beggared belief. |
Thomas Hope Price received a shorter sentence of 23 weeks because he had pleaded guilty to the offences before the trial. | Thomas Hope Price received a shorter sentence of 23 weeks because he had pleaded guilty to the offences before the trial. |
The five year disqualification for keeping horses was suspended for six months to give the Prices and their company, Glamorgan Horse Traders, time to sell or dispose of their stock. | The five year disqualification for keeping horses was suspended for six months to give the Prices and their company, Glamorgan Horse Traders, time to sell or dispose of their stock. |
'Powerless' | |
Speaking after the case, the RSPCA said it did not have the facilities to re-home the huge numbers of horses involved and was looking for a partnership between local authorities and the Welsh government to address the problem. | Speaking after the case, the RSPCA said it did not have the facilities to re-home the huge numbers of horses involved and was looking for a partnership between local authorities and the Welsh government to address the problem. |
Price was sentenced separately for the breach of the Asbo between the 6 and 22 December, 2012 by District Judge John Charles. | Price was sentenced separately for the breach of the Asbo between the 6 and 22 December, 2012 by District Judge John Charles. |
He was fined £1,000 in costs and the judge told him: "There was a harassment of landowners targeted by you. You've not shown a shred of respect for anybody and not shown any remorse. | He was fined £1,000 in costs and the judge told him: "There was a harassment of landowners targeted by you. You've not shown a shred of respect for anybody and not shown any remorse. |
"Landowners were powerless to deal with your fly-grazing activities and they were virtually intimidated by you." | |
After sentencing, Acting Supt Marc Lamerton from South Wales Police said he hoped the sentence would bring an end to the illegal practice of fly-grazing and Asbo breaches are taken seriously. | |
Principal trading standards officer for the Vale of Glamorgan Council Christina Roberts-Kinsey said: "His actions have caused a great deal of suffering to his horses. But in allowing the horses to fly-graze, straying onto public roads and residential areas, he could also have risked the safety of the public." | |
She said Price had repeatedly denied ownership of the horses and failed to cooperate with the council's requests. | |
Ms Roberts-Kinsey added: "Despite the terms of the Asbo, Tom Price has continued with his illegal practices and has breached the order several times." |