CONVICTED (2005) | Derek Thomas Monkton, born c. 1943 (deceased as of December 2021*), of 49 Broad Street, Bromsgrove B61 8LL – kept three ponies in diabolical conditions.
Monkton pleaded guilty to charges of causing unnecessary suffering to the ponies.
The neglect suffered by the three young colts was so bad it resulted in one having to be put down because of the irreparable damage done by the growing tendons on his legs.
Chief Field Officer at the International League for the Protection of Horses (ILPH) Paul Teasdale, speaking after the court hearing, said he had visited a property at Upton Warren on July 1, 2003.
“I visited this property with an RSPCA inspector, Simon Dix, and found three colts, virtually imprisoned, in filthy conditions, in tiny pens.
“The conditions these ponies were kept in was diabolical, filthy and disgusting,” he added.
The barn the ponies were kept in was described as ‘dark, airless and acrid with the smell of ammonia and droppings.’
“Their hooves had clearly not been trimmed for over 12 months, they were the worst feet I have ever seen,” said Mr Teasdale.
The other two ponies have been left unrideable because of their distorted lower limbs.
Monkton agreed to sign the ponies over to the ILPH and they were taken to the Glenda Spooner Farm, at Hoarwithy, in Herefordshire.
No evidence was brought against Victoria Jean Manns, of the same address, who was also charged with the same offence.
Sentencing: concurrent seven-week custodial sentence. Banned from keeping domestic animals for life.
*Update | December 2021
Derek Monkton, who went on to breach his lifetime ban and cause more harm to animals, died on 8 December 2021.