CONVICTED (2016) | Matthew Groves, born c. 1991, of 83 Howbeck Drive, Edlington, Doncaster DN12 1QH – for cruelty to horses including a six-month-old foal that collapsed and died.
Horse trader and traveller Groves appeared at Mansfield Magistrates’ Court on Monday 19 September 2016 for what was meant to be the start of a trial, and entered guilty pleas to four charges.
World Horse Welfare was called to a youngster in distress and Field Officer Sarah Tucker attended as a matter of urgency, finding the six-month-old foal collapsed.
With the assistance of the RSPCA, Bransby Horses, a vet and the Police, the foal and two other ponies were removed from the field under the Animal Welfare Act (2006).
Groves failed to comply with a Warning Notice issued by the RSPCA over the remaining two ponies regarding provision of a suitable diet and so in early January 2016 they were also legally removed due to their deteriorating condition.
Sarah Tucker said: “I can only describe the scene I faced last December as tragic. The collapsed foal had clearly been in a distressed state for some time. Because he was so weak we decided World Horse Welfare’s closest Rescue and Rehoming Centre was too much of a journey for this urgent case, so we worked with Bransby Horses to take them to the safety of their Lincoln centre.”
She continued: “It was a relief to be able to remove the horses; however despite vet Lynn Mabbit’s best efforts to save the colt foal, very sadly he died shortly after he was rescued. The sentence reflected the severity of this case and it is reassuring to know that Mr Groves will no longer be permitted to keep horses.”
Sentence: jailed for 18 weeks; £750 costs and £80 victim surcharge. Lifetime ban on keeping equines.