CONVICTED (2017) | Chloe Ann Morgan, born c. 1998, of Tirgof, Llangennech, Llanelli SA14 and Paul Stewart Griffiths Williams, born c. 1970, of Dan Yr Allt, Felinfoel, Llanelli SA14 – for violence towards a pony

Chloe Morgan admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a pony named Emry after being captured on video furiously whipping him repeatedly.

Morgan appeared in court along with Paul Stewart Griffiths Williams, who was filmed kicking the pony. Williams also admitted the charges against him.

The judge in the case described it as a “vicious assault” and the court heard veterinary surgeons say the incident will leave the animal with long-term psychological fears.

RSPCA prosecutor Nick Devonold said the incident had come to the animal charity’s attention after a video was posted on social media.

The court, which was shown the footage, heard the video had sparked outrage online – with two million views on the video recorded via Facebook.

Four veterinary surgeons were asked to examine and comment on the footage.

Their observations noted the pony showed clear ‘fear and distress’ and was unable to escape the situation he was in.

The surgeons did not accept Morgan’s explanation on social media that she had sat on the pony for 10 minutes without problem, before he became spooked – or her claims that she only hit the pony ‘once or twice’.

Other observations were made that Morgan was too tall to be on the pony, had been mounted too far back, and that the chastising of the pony was excessive and done in anger.

The bucking of the pony was not the horse’s fault, but the response of Morgan, whose actions will cause long-term psychological fears to the pony on how it is treated in the future, the court heard.

The pair’s actions were described as brutal, with no justification and totally inappropriate.

In police interview, Williams said he had been dealing with horses for two months and did not deny kicking the pony, as captured on the video.

He told officers he had been trying to “break the horse in” for his eight year old.

When Morgan was interviewed, she said she had tried to mount the pony when he was tied up over concerns he may run away.

It was noted the pony was sold as a ‘companion pony’ meaning he should not be ridden.

There was some dispute over the amount of times Morgan whipped Emry, but said she accepted he was distressed and stopped.

Emry has been voluntarily rehomed since the incident, the court was told.

Judge David Parsons said: “Part of our duty is to analyse what we have seen and what we have learnt about the offence from the RSPCA experts, but quite frankly we did not need to see it.

“It’s clear to us this was a vicious assault on this pony for no reason whatsoever.

“We discard your account that either of you were at any harm. The animal was tethered and this was a terrible offence. Both of you should have known better – there are no excuses for what happened.”

Judge Parsons added: “Both of you have shown you have no respect for animals – and in order to ensure the safety and welfare of animals in your care – both of you are to be disqualified from keeping any form of animals for eight years.”

Sentencing: Morgan was given three months in a young offenders’ institution, and Williams four months in custody – both suspended for 12 months. Both were given 120 hours of unpaid work each and both ordered to pay £400 costs and £115 victim surcharge. They were given an eight-year ban on keeping any animal (expires March 2025).

Wales Online