‘NOT GUILTY’ (2023) | Sarah Kate Moulds, née Stimson, born June 1984, of 2 Oakham Road, Somerby, Melton Mowbray LE14 2QF – acquitted by a jury despite being filmed kicking a pony to the chest and slapping him across the head four times.
After a three-day trial at Lincoln crown court Sarah Moulds was cleared of animal cruelty by a jury. She and several friends and family also in court, wept as the verdict was delivered.
The vile incident, which took place in Gunby, Lincolnshire, on 6 November 2021, was caught on camera by the Hertfordshire Hunt Saboteurs when Moulds was out with the Cottesmore Hunt.
The RSPCA, which brought the prosecution, argued that Moulds’ actions would have caused the 12-year-old horse, called Bruce, ‘fear, distress and psychological suffering’.
An equine vet who gave evidence in court said Bruce demonstrated fear in the video, which the Crown said constituted suffering at Moulds’ hands.
But Moulds claimed she had acted because Bruce had broken free from a child and needed to be disciplined. She also insisted she had not hurt him.
Bruce was taken to a vet 10 days after the incident and was found to be ‘in very good health’.
The court heard that Moulds and her family had been bombarded with death threats and “messages of hate” after the footage went viral on social media.
Moulds was suspended, then sacked from her job as a primary school teacher. The Pony Club, where she volunteered as a team leader, also dismissed her.
Following the ‘not guilty’ verdict, the RSPCA defended its decision to prosecute Moulds, citing a 95% success rate in animal welfare cases that it brings to court.
It led the prosecution case alone, with no input from the police or the Crown Prosecution Service.
A spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘We do not take the decision to bring prosecution lightly.
‘We apply the same tests as the Crown Prosecution Service to decide whether to prosecute someone for animal welfare offences.
‘This requires there to be sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction and for it to be in the public interest to prosecute.
‘This case was reviewed by a prosecution case manager, an independent solicitor and a barrister who all agreed that the evidential test was met and with the support of two expert vets.
‘We accept the court’s decision today and thank the jury for their careful consideration, but the public can be assured the RSPCA will always look into concerns that are raised to us about animal neglect and cruelty.
‘We believe that treating all animals with kindness will lead to a more compassionate society and we need everyone to help us do that.
‘Animals do not learn well when they are scared or stressed so physically punishing them is not effective, as a wealth of science shows.
‘That’s why we advocate the use of positive reward training instead of force and fear.’
I’ve been a horse owner for over 40 years – We see that bitch punch and whack that pony . And the pony is clearly frightened of her abuse !!!
What else is there to say – there’s the proof –
Evil f ing scumbag
No justice for the poor pony. She should not own any kind of animal. Surely you kick an animal like no matter what it’s size its going to hurt. I’m glad she was terrorised. And hunting should be banned. Nasty scum.. I do hope she still gets the threats till her last day. And the horses removed.
How in heavens earth can someone be found not guilty when filmed carrying out this vile act. The sympathy vote is not grounds for her actions. I can only assume that the jurors were sympathisers.
She was guilty as sin and should at the very least been banned from keeping animals ever again.