CONVICTED (2024) | Claire Mitchell, born 4 September 1973, of First Avenue, Teignmouth – failed to treat a lurcher with a skin condition so severe that he was left almost bald.
Mitchell pleaded guilty to an animal welfare offence following an investigation and prosecution by the RSPCA.
The offence stated that between May 26, 2022 and July 7, 2022 Mitchell caused unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, namely a male lurcher called Thor, by a failure to ensure he was provided with timely and appropriate veterinary care for his hair loss and/or skin condition.
RSPCA rescuers were contacted with concerns about Thor, who was suffering from a skin condition that had left him almost bald with sore red skin.
Mitchell failed to attend veterinary appointments that had been made for her and continued to leave Thor in a suffering state. She also ignored return visits from RSPCA officers following up on dog’s welfare.
Thor pictured in healthier times. Source Claire Mitchell/Facebook
Thor went on to make a full recovery in RSPCA care.
Sentencing | 160 hours of unpaid work and 15 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days; £126 costs and £114 victim surcharge. Seven-year ban on keeping dogs (expires March 2031).
CONVICTED (2023) | Emily Mace, born c. 2000, of Little Barton, Kingsteignton, Newton Abbot TQ12 3QS – trained a dog to become aggressive leading to savage attacks on other dogs.
Emily Mace’s large Mastiff-type Conan attacked other dogs – one fatally – and also bit a woman after her extreme training methods led to him becoming aggressive.
The first incident happened in August 2021 when Janet Collins was walking her miniature schnauzer Lola in Long Barton playing fields. Mace was throwing a ball for Conan, an Alsatian/Mastiff cross and a third dog called Honcho.
As Miss Collins walked by, Conan bit Lola on the rear. She picked her dog up to keep her safe but Conan continued to jump up and bit the woman on the arm, puncturing the skin and causing significant bruising. She also suffered injuries to her hand.
Mace left the scene without showing much interest – telling Miss Collins to stand still during the incident – and was arrested later by police.
She told them her dogs made her feel safe.
The victim said in a statement she had never been so terrified in her life by the incident and could not believe Mace’s cold and uncaring attitude at the scene. She said it was clear her dog was dangerous and could cause serious damage.
A few months later, Mace agreed to re-home a greyhound named Blake but when she put the animal in with Conan and her other dog they went into ‘prey mode’ and fatally injured him.
Conan was under a dog behaviour order and required to be tethered in the garden. But Mace had placed a ‘totally inadequate’ loose collar around the animal.
She ignored a warning that Blake was unhappy in the larger dog’s presence and put them together, along with another pet, a Staffordshire-type dog named Luna.
“Luna and Conan began to savage Blake,” said RSPCA prosecutor Ms Susan Cavander. The attack was captured on video by a neighbour.
The two dogs went into ‘prey mode’, holding the greyhound down, locking their jaws and ripping at his throat, said the prosecutor.
Mace pulled the bleeding greyhound away and put him in a shed while she called vets.
The prosecutor said she seemed more intent in clearing up the mess than paying attention to the dog that was bleeding profusely and losing consciousness.
Blake lost a litre of blood and had to be put down by vets.
Mace posted videos on Facebook of her aggressive training techniques.
The court heard that she demonstrated a ‘total lack of understanding of the risk’ her pets posed or how to train them properly.
Mace pleaded guilty to having a dog dangerously out of control that caused injury.
She was convicted after trial of a separate offence of causing unnecessary suffering to a greyhound by failing to prevent him being attacked by other dogs.
Mace, who is pregnant, has since left her address and job as a result of online abuse. She was described in references as an animal lover and a kind person who is keen to work with probation. A pre-sentence report said she had shown superficial remorse.
Judge Anna Richardson said Mace had trained her dogs to be aggressive and could and should have intervened at the scene of the first ‘utterly terrifying’ incident.
An application for the destruction of Conan was to be considered at a later date but the outcome isn’t known.
Sentencing | 22-month custodial suspended for two years; 20 days of rehabilitation activity. £500 compensation. .Banned from keeping dogs for 15 years.
CONVICTED (2021) | Louise Michelle Cleave, born c. 1981, of First Avenue, Dawlish EX7 9RB – left her elderly dog to die alone barricaded in a toilet
Callous Louise Michelle Cleave locked her elderly pet dog in a toilet to die. Scratches on the door showed the dog had been trying desperately to escape.
Dolci, a 15-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier, was found dead in squalid conditions by RSPCA inspectors at Louise Cleave’s home.
Cleave said she had left the dog in the toilet when she grew weak and was too scared to look to see if she was dead.
She told inspectors she could not afford a vet and had suffered a mental health health breakdown due to problems in her family life.
Cleave admitted causing unnecessary suffering to an animal by failing to give Dolci proper veterinary care. She was banned from owning animals for the rest of her life.
The dog was found to have been suffering with a range of illnesses, including a long-standing skin condition and kidney disease but most seriously pyometra, a fatal infection of the womb.
Prosecutor Lindi Meyer said RSPCA inspectors went to Cleave’s address in January 2021 after a report of concerns over the treatment of a dog.
Shameless: the court heard that Cleave showed no remorse for her cruel actions and tried to blame others.
Cleave told them Dolci had been unwell for a while but she could not afford treatment. A cabinet had been placed against the door along with a stack of laminated floor strips.
She wasn’t sure if was Dolci was dead. She told inspectors the dog could have passed away but she was too scared to look.
The inspectors found Dolci lying on her side in her bed. She was dead.
RSPCA inspector Beccy Wadey, said: “She was lying on a bed of soiled toilet paper and next to her was a red tartan type blanket on a soiled sheet, a very soiled pillow and what looked like a puppy training pad that was also soiled. It was a very distressing sight.
“Dolci was emaciated with the ribs and spine prominent and had a distended, bloated stomach.” There was some old chopped up dog meat and water in a bowl.
Damage to the door indicated Dolci had been trying to scratch her way out for some time.
Cleave said the dog had been unwell for two or three weeks. Her back legs had given way but she feared she would ‘get done’ if vets saw the condition she was in.
She already owed them money and could not afford more. She did not want to think about the animal suffering.
Ms Meyer said Cleave tried to blame others, including police and the charity Animals in Distress who she claimed to have repeatedly contacted but received no reply.
Vets concluded Dolci was left to die of septicaemia, septic shock and kidney failure and would have suffered mental anguish being locked up her for several days.
A post-mortem revealed she was in poor condition with her spine, ribs, and hip bones sticking out, her skeletal muscle was reduced. There was a reduced layer of fat under her skin, she weighed just 10kg.
Her kidneys showed signs of disease and the pyometra caused a foul smelling liquid to form that was unable to drain away. Vets said the amount of infected liquid – two litres – was ‘astonishing’.
“While Dolci was poorly and losing weight she effectively abandoned her rather than get veterinary help,” said the prosecutor.
“The suffering was significant and ongoing for around two weeks.”
She said Cleave had shown no remorse and did not think she had done anything wrong.
“Even the skin complaint should have had attention,” she added. “This little dog suffered from a lack of kindness, treatment and comfort when dying.”
Lisa McArthur, defending, said Cleave had owned and loved the dog for many years.
Her 21-year-old son had returned to live with her and brought his mastiff dog with him. She had put Dolci in the downstairs toilet to keep her safe from the mastiff.
She was scared of her son’s temper and other issues in the family caused her mental health to deteriorate. She had noticed her dog had slowed down and grown weaker but put it down to old age.
She said she made the dog comfortable and checked on her the day before inspectors arrived.
She has been diagnosed with emotionally unstable personality disorder, was a victim of domestic abuse and suffered with anxiety and low confidence.
Cleave had put her head in the sand and hoped the problem with the dog would go away, said Ms McArthur.
A probation report said Cleave would not intentionally harm animals but lacked insight into the offence and does not take responsibility for her actions.
Magistrates told her: “We find you did neglect and ill treat an elderly dog who was severely ill, suffering in pain and distressed which you knew needed immediate medical treatment. As a result of your neglect the dog sadly died.”
But they said Cleave had significant mitigation due to the offence being linked to her mental health, the caring responsibilities she had with her family and the fact she was currently pregnant.
Sentencing: jailed for 12 weeks, suspended for 12 months, with 20 days of rehabilitation work with probation; £528 costs. Lifetime ban on owning animals but can appeal after 10 years (April 2031).
CONVICTED (2019) | farmer Graham A Mabin aka James Mabin, born c. 1983, of Market Close, Buckfastleigh TQ11 0QA – for cruelty to sheep and breaches of farming regulations
Mabin pleaded guilty to two charges under the Animal Welfare Act, two charges under the Veterinary Medicines Regulations and one charge under the Animal By-Products Regulations.
These offences were in relation to his treatment of sheep under his care including a charge of unnecessary suffering in relation to a sheep where the spine of the animal was visible through an infected wound.
In December 2018 officers from Devon, Somerset & Torbay Trading Standards Service (DSTTSS) and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) visited land farmed by Mabin and found an emaciated sheep laying in the corner of a pen with a large festering wound.
The sheep could not stand up without help and the wound was so large and deep that the spine of the animal could be seen.
In the same area officers found three lambs that were lethargic and emaciated. One lamb had an infected ear wound filled with pus and another had an infected foot with an easily detachable hoof.
None of the animals had access to clean drinking water.
On a further visit in January 2019 officers found that inadequate records were kept on the farm in relation to medicines used and the movements of animals. These records are important for the integrity of the food chain and were not present.
Magistrates said that Mabin had passed the custody threshold due to the number of animals involved, the level of suffering caused and his repeated failure to follow advice issued by Trading Standards. Despite this, the prison sentence was suspended.
Sentencing: four months’ imprisonment suspended for 18 months; £1,185 in costs and fees; rehabilitation activities. Banned from keeping animals for 10 years.
In October 2020 footage was widely shared on Facebook which showed Graham Mabin’s wife, Stacey Mabin, and their 13-year-old son attacking multiple dogs in their garden with sticks and a shovel.
Stacey subsequently gave an interview to the local paper in which she claimed that she and her son were trying to stop the dogs from fighting and attacking one dog in particular – an elderly labrador.
The shocking video showed Stacey Mabin and her teenage son hitting dogs with spades, sticks and a broom in the back yard of their home in Buckfastleigh
She told the paper that she had TEN dogs (this despite her husband being banned from keeping any animal until 2029) but denied all accusations of abuse or neglect.
The matter was reported to police and the RSPCA but it appears that the pair escaped prosecution.
CONVICTED (2019) | Fern Amelia Thoms, born 6 December 1990 and Peter David Thoms, born 17 February 1989, both of Exeter Road, Dawlish, Devon – allowed their elderly collie to suffer with a painful skin condition and to become underweight.
Devon couple Fern and Peter Thoms were banned from keeping animals after their dog was found in terrible condition, severely underweight and missing fur
The Thoms’ 12-year-old collie, Kizzy was underweight and missing fur when she was rescued by the RSPCA.
The charity first became aware of the neglect of the dog after an anonymous report from a member of the public.
Border collie Kizzy was in huge discomfort with inflamed itchy skin on most of her face and body
A photograph was sent to the RSPCA and an inspector found Kizzy in a lamentable condition, with missing fur, scabs and pink inflamed skin covering her body. She was taken for veterinary treatment and subsequently seized by the police.
Fern and Peter Thoms were found guilty of one offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
Speaking about the case RSPCA inspector Marije Zwager said: “The photographs show just what an appalling state Kizzy was in at the time of her rescue. She must have been so uncomfortable and itchy all the time resulting in her nibbling and scratching herself raw.
“Kizzy’s terrible condition could have been avoided if she was promptly taken to a vet and the owners had followed veterinary advice to manage her chronic skin condition – it should never have got to this situation, and should never have simply been treated with ineffective home remedies by those responsible for her care.”
Kizzy was transformed after receiving the correct veterinary treatment while in the RSPCA’s care
Kizzy has since recovered while in the care of the RSPCA at West Hatch in Somerset.
Sentencing: ordered to pay £200. Three-year ban on keeping dogs (expired May 2022). They were also deprived of ownership of Kizzy.
CONVICTED (2018) | Jemma Bishop, born c. 1988, from Newton Abbot, Devon – left a dog and hamster to starve to death in an abandoned property.
Callous single mother Jemma Bishop abandoned Staffy Cass and a hamster named Steve to starve to death. Cass was saved in the nick of time.
Mother-of-four Jemma Bishop admitted two offences of causing unnecessary suffering, contrary to Section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006, when she appeared before magistrates in Plymouth.
Cass when he was found
RSPCA inspectors were contacted after an emaciated dog and a dead hamster were discovered at a property in Kingsteignton, near Newton Abbot.
Staffordshire bull terrier, Cass, was close to death when he was rescued, with every bone showing, after he’d been left without food or water for more than two weeks.
A hamster, known as Steve, was discovered starved to death in his cage.
Jemma Bishop from Newton Abbot was imprisoned for her animal cruelty
Deputy chief inspector Suzy Hannaby said: “These animals were dependent on Bishop and she betrayed their trust by thoughtlessly leaving them to suffer without a care for their welfare.
“She could have handed her animals over to the RSPCA or another animal charity when she was aware she was no longer willing to care for them but instead decided to simply abandon them to die after a period of prolonged suffering.
“It’s a miracle that Cass survived. He was just skin and bones when he was rescued but has since recovered and gained weight.
“The team at RSPCA Little Valley transformed him during his time in their care and found him a loving new home with a great family who are showing him the love and care he deserves.”
Sentencing | jailed for 13 weeks. Disqualified from keeping animals for ten years (expires May 2028).
CONVICTED (2017) | Sarah Pintus (aka Sarah Gough), born c. 1986, of Lonsee Gardens, Kingskerswell, Newton Abbot TQ12 5FE – left two guinea pigs without food or water
Pintus pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to two guinea pigs after leaving them to starve. Only one of them survived.
Sentencing: ordered to pay a total of £250. fined £120. Two-year ban on owning animals (expired 2019).
Graham Coombes was the ringleader of a blood-thirsty gang who set savage dogs on foxes, deer, rabbits, badgers – and even a llama – in bid to ‘kill as much wildlife as possible’
Eleven men were sentenced – three receiving jail terms – for their part in a series of “abhorrent” attacks by dogs on deer, badgers and foxes. Graphic and distressing video footage found on the mobile phone of the ringleader Graham Coombes was shown in court, showing dogs savaging badgers and deer as the accused looked on and gave encouragement.
Brian Forrest, director of Hunter Electrical SW Ltd
Analysis of one of the men’s phones revealed thousands of text messages, including one in which he claimed to have used his dogs to kill 178 deer, 894 rabbits, 28 foxes and 22 hares in just six months.
Jeremy Cave, prosecuting for the RSPCA, said the ‘primary motivation seems to be gratuitous pleasure’.
Mr Cave said the group would go out ‘lamping’ – using powerful lamps at night to startle and stun deer before setting dogs, usually lurchers, on them.
He said their aim was ‘to kill as much wildlife as possible’.
Mr Cave said Coombes was at the ‘centre of the operation, organising nights out, posting trophy pictures on social media’.
Pheon Radford
The other men involved were Oliver Blatch, Kenneth Danes, Gethyn Durham, Brian Forrest, Dean McGrath, Joseph O’Connor, Pheon Radford, Ryan Robinson, Philip Cross and Daniel Ravenscroft.
Mr Cave said that of the 27 offences, 22 were related to killing or attacking deer with dogs, four matters were of animal welfare issues relating to the dogs – including neglect – and another was the possession of a dangerous dog.
Graham Coombes organised animal hunting that involved the training of dogs who were ‘[his] tools; tools to hunt and kill’.
The court heard how a search of Coombes’ land by Trading Standards found a pile of animal carcasses with at least 20 separate skulls at the top of the heap.
The incinerator operator informed RSPCA investigators they disposed of 604 kilos of animal products, all believed to be from hunts.
Coombes also got another person to shoot his severely injured dog after it had been fighting a badger ‘for four hours’.
Details of offences and sentencing:
Graham Coombes, born 05/07/1975 a groundworker of Abbey Road, Bovey Tracey, Devon TQ13 9HZ pleaded guilty to three counts of intentionally killing deer at night on different dates in 2014. He pleaded guilty to two counts of willfully killing a badger and one of willfully injuring a badger. He pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a terrier called Marley by failing to treat its injuries. Coombes was sentenced to a total of 20 weeks in prison. He was ordered to pay £3,000 court costs and £60 victim surcharge. He was disqualified from keeping dogs for life.
Oliver Blatch
Oliver Blatch , born 08/07/1989 of Pines Close, Wincanton BA9 9SJ pleaded guilty to two counts of killing deer at night. District Judge Baker noted Blatch was of previous good character before sentencing him to a total of eight weeks, suspended for one year, to complete 180 hours’ unpaid leave, pay £800 court costs and £60 victim surcharge.
Kenneth Danes, born 01/04/1987, of Otterford Gypsy Park, Culmhead near Taunton TA3 7DX pleaded guilty to two counts of killing deer at night. District Judge Baker noted he was a hardworking man of good character and his early guilty plea. She sentenced him to a total of eight weeks suspended for 12 months and ordered him to pay £800 court costs, £60 victim surcharge and to forfeit his dog Cruz.
Joseph O’Connor from Pontardawe, near Swansea
Joseph O’Connor, born 30/04/1993, a farmhand at Perthigwynion Farm, Pontardawe near Swansea SA8 4TA, admitted three charges of killing deer in 2014. District Judge Baker told O’Connor the killing of deer was “absolutely abhorrent, it’s barbaric”. However, she recognised his probation report showed genuine remorse and he was of previous good character. She also recognised his advocate’s observation that he was of “limited ability” and his “sense of shame”. She told him he had worked in agriculture his whole life yet despite that he involved himself in the killing of deer. He handed him a nine-week jail sentence, suspended for 12 months. He also had to complete 200 hours’ unpaid work, pay £800 court costs and £80 victim surcharge.
Gethyn Durham, born 05/06/1989, a landscape gardener of Marl Court, Cwmbran, Gwent NP44 5TY, admitted one count of killing a deer. He also pleaded guilty to possession of a pitbull-type dangerous dog and five charges of keeping other dogs in an unsuitable environment. District Judge Baker said she accepted his dog Bonnie was a “beloved family pet” but according to his probation report “[Durham] shows little remorse and has antipathy for the RSPCA and their work”.
Gethyn Durham from Cwmbran, South Wales
Durham was jailed for six weeks followed by 12 months’ supervision. He was ordered to pay £800 court costs and £115 victim surcharge. As his partner broke down in the public gallery, District Judge Baker told Durham the legislation regarding dangerous dogs “ties my hands” and she ordered the dog be destroyed. Durham was also told he was disqualified from owning dogs for five years.
Brian Forrest from Taunton, Somerset
Brian Forrest, 29/02/1976, owner of Brian Forrest Electrical (now Hunter Electrical SW Ltd), of Alfred Street, Taunton TA1 3HY, pleaded guilty to a single count of killing deer. District Judge Baker also noted how he was of previous good character and he had shown genuine remorse. She sentenced him to six weeks jail, suspended for a year, to complete 140 hours unpaid work, pay £800 court costs and £60 victim surcharge. She also ordered him to forfeit his dog Eve.
Dean McGrath from Cwmbran, South Wales
Dean McGrath aka Dean Johns, born 30/07/1987, of Neerings, Coed Eva, Cwmbran NP44 6UG, pleaded guilty to a single count of killing deer. McGrath was handed a six week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months. District Judge Baker ordered him to complete 160 hours’ unpaid work, pay £800 court costs and £60 victim surcharge. He was also ordered to forfeit his dog Blue.
Pheon Radford from Pentre
Pheon Alex Radford, born 14/05/1994, owner of PR Carpentry Ltd and of Wyndham Street, Ystrad, Pentre CF41 7BA, pleaded guilty to killing a deer and causing unnecessary suffering to a dog. District Judge Baker said Radford left his dog Scar to suffer from an “unpleasant” injury and listed previous scars on its body. She said he had deliberately travelled from Wales to take part in the deer hunts with Cross. She sentenced him to a total of 10 weeks, suspended for 12 months; to complete 150 hours’ unpaid work, pay £800 court costs and £60 victim surcharge. He was also disqualified from keeping dogs for three years and to forfeit his dog Scar.
Ryan P Robinson, born 19/04/1996 and of Queens Gate, Queen Street, Newton Abbot TQ12 2EY, admitted taking a deer without the consent of the owner. He was handed a 12 month community order, must take part in a 10 day rehabilitation requirement, complete 200 hours’ unpaid work and pay £800 court costs and a victim surcharge of £85.
Philip Cross
Philip Cross, born 01/04/1980 and of Bryn Ivor St, Tonypandy CF40 2TL was found guilty after trial of killing deer at night. He was jailed for eight weeks and disqualified for keeping dogs for five years. He was ordered to pay £4,000 court costs and £80 victim surcharge.
Daniel Ravenscroft from Buckfastleigh, Devon
Daniel Ravenscroft, born 21/05/1979 and of Pearroc Vean, Grange Rd, Buckfastleigh, Devon TQ11 0EH was found guilty after trial of killing deer at night. District Judge Baker said she took into account his early guilty plea and his 10 years’ service in the British Army. She noted he had given up his dog voluntarily and his probation report spoke of how he recognised how low he had fallen and the devastation it had caused him, leaving him “so embarrassed, so remorseful and so ashamed”.
Ravenscroft was sentenced to six weeks’ custody, suspended for 12 months, to complete 200 hours’ unpaid work, forfeit his dog and pay £4,000 court costs and £60 victim surcharge.
Speaking outside of court, RSPCA Chief Inspector Will Mitchell said Coombes’ phone contained around 30,000 images ‘mostly depicting wildlife crime and the use of dogs to kill wildlife, around 11,000 text messages, and videos’.
The texts contained a series of ‘colloquial descriptions of animals, so for badgers they were described as ‘pigs, ‘black and whites’, ‘humbugs’ and ‘smellies’.
He said: ‘There would be the bravado in terms of the type of dogs used and the successes of the dogs. They wanted them for the fight, for destruction.
‘They might say this was sport or pest control – but it’s blood lust.’
This is depraved Colin Sherlock formerly of Third Avenue, Dawlish, and now living in Queensway, Newton Abbot. In 2010 self-confessed boozer and doper Sherlock and twisted teenage accomplices Alex Archer and Jamie Jones from Teignmouth subjected a helpless cat to mental and physical torture.
Sickening video footage showed Sherlock being goaded by Archer and Jones, as he put the cat, Roxy, into a series of appliances, beginning with a microwave oven, then a tumble dryer and finally a freezer. The terrified cat was then submerged in a bowl of dishwater.
The entire horrific incident was filmed on a mobile phone by one of the teenagers. That footage was shared with a number of others and was eventually reported to the police. Sherlock was recognised by the distinctive crescent-shaped tattoo on the left-hand side of his face and a prosecution followed.
In November 2010 Sherlock was sentenced to 126 days in jail and barred from owning any animals for ten years.
Archer and Jones were given 12-month rehabilitation orders including supervision orders. They also had to take part in the ‘make amends project’ and carry out work to benefit the RSPCA
Despite her ordeal at the hands of the three brain-dead thugs, Roxy survived and was surrendered to the RSPCA. We understand that she was so traumatised she could not be made available for rehoming for several months.
CONVICTED (2007) | Matthew Alex Corfield, born 05/11/1988, of Garden Village, Highley, Bridgnorth, Shropshire WV16 6HN and Alex John Lister, born 22/09/1989, of Bickford Lane, Teignmouth TA14 8QT – attacked a horse with a meat cleaver, leaving her so badly injured she had to be put down.
Recent (2019) photos of horse killers Matthew Corfield (left) and Alex Lister
On Friday 13th April 2007, a 19-year-old piebald mare, known as Maggie, was attacked at Essington Hall Farm, Essington, South Staffordshire, by drunken youths Matthew Corfield and Alex Lister then of Wednesfield, Wolverhampton. A third youth – Anthony Ronald Hinsley, born 07/09/1988, of Fryer Close, Wolverhampton WV11 3JD, was also initially charged, but the case against him was later dropped.
Charges against Anthony Ronald Hinsley were dropped
The trio, who had been drinking in local woods with two other youths, went into Maggie’s field and startled her. As she fled, Corfield and Lister proceeded to chase her with the former repeatedly hurling a meat cleaver at her.
The court heard Corfield laughed as he inspected the 12-inch by five-inch blade for blood.
Victim Maggie with her owner
Maggie was found the following day lying in a pool of blood. She had suffered a five-inch-deep cut to her neck, a three-and-a-half-inch cut on her shoulder and her right leg was broken. The tendon of one of her rear legs was severed by a blow that cut to the bone. Her injuries were so severe that she had to be put to sleep on humane grounds.
Corfield, Lister and Hinsley were arrested after locals raised £1,500 for information leading to the conviction of those responsible.
Remorseless Matthew Corfield and accomplice Alex Lister (inset) pictured outside court in 2007
Paul Jenkins, defending Corfield, said he did not accept he was “solely or exclusively” to blame.
Jenkins said it was not a premeditated attack and that Corfield had taken the cleaver with him to chop wood to make a fire for the five friends who were camping in Black Cat Wood.
Ian Hodnett, for Lister, said he had tried but failed to film Corfield and another friend chasing the horse on his mobile phone.
He said Lister’s only other involvement was to chase Maggie around the paddock.
Corfield and Lister both admitted causing unnecessary suffering to Maggie. Corfield was given five months in a young offenders institution but was released after just eight weeks. His father, Peter Corfield, told a local newspaper that he believed his son “had definitely paid his debt to society”. He added that his son had been rehired by his employer, a building company.
Sentencing: Corfield – five months in a young offenders institution. Ordered to do 180 hours of community work.
Lister – 12-month community order and 180 hours’ community service.
