CONVICTED (2023) | Jack Woods aka Jax Woods, born 5 July 2001, of 10 Cosens Way, Felpham, Bognor Regis PO22 8FG but with links to Boston, Lincolnshire – physically abused three horses and psychologically abused another in brutal attacks.
Shocking footage showed Woods whipping, and slapping different horses. He is also shown threatening a horse with a whip on several occasions. The incidents took place at Mabrook Equestrian Centre in Boston, Lincolnshire, which Woods ran with girlfriend Charlotte Martin.
Speaking about the case, an expert vet said: “The horses in these clips are no less than absolutely terrified.
“The horses desperately try to escape from him and display severe fear, escapism and avoidance behaviours – equines are flight or fight animals as they are prey species these horses in these videos are displaying complete flight behaviour.
“Unreasonable force and his actions are nothing short of barbaric and cruel and are used due to the lack of his own ability to both handle and ride horses.”
“He causes them intense fear and distress by both his actions and his body language.
“He is observed on the video to repeatedly beat the different horses around the head and neck predominantly but also the body.
“There is very little in the way of soft tissue covering on the head as such the blows were almost directly to the bone which is painful.”
Woods pleaded guilty to attacking the horses in Boston, Lincolnshire, admitting counts of causing unnecessary suffering to the three horses and inflicting psychological abuse on the fourth horse.
He also admitted failing to avoid the use of inappropriately harsh, potentially painful and frightening training, handling, control or disciplinary measure of all four horses.
RSPCA lead investigator Andy Bostock said: “These videos are disturbing and heart breaking to watch and you can see that the horses are in fear.
“The defendant’s behaviour is unacceptable, extremely aggressive, extremely unnecessary and has led to the horses within the video being caused fear, distress and pain and suffering.”
Sentencing | 26-week suspended prison sentence; rehabilitation activities; 200 hours of unpaid work; £2,100 in costs. Disqualified from owning horses for 18 months (expires early 2025).