CONVICTED (2011) | Pamela Palmer (born c. 1941) and son Joseph Palmer (born c. 1981) formerly of Sheriff Hutton Hall, York YO60 – left animals to starve to death and others to suffer in agony with untreated injuries

RSPCA officers found five sheep that had died of starvation, one of which had its head trapped in a wooden frame, a lamb dead down a well, a Hereford bull that had suffered with arthritis for months, and a Hereford cow with a long-term major abscess when they were called to Sheriff Hutton Hall in April 2010

The then owners of the property, Pamela Palmer and her son Joseph, had told neighbours they came from a wealthy Australian family and appeared to be eccentric  animal lovers who shared the house with a menagerie, including a pet lamb in the bedroom and a badger in the basement.

But in reality, the Palmers had neither the financial means nor the will to care for the animals.

RSPCA inspectors who visited the property found a catalogue of appalling animal neglect.

Some animals had been locked in a derelict building at the Grade I listed hall and left to starve.

It appeared someone had attempted to burn a number of cattle carcasses or to bury them in a swimming pool which had been turned into a slurry dump.

Inspectors also found five cats in a filthy room at the mansion, along with horses, dogs, pigs and donkeys that appeared to be running wild.

The condition of animals on the estate was revealed when Mrs Palmer’s bank repossessed the house and property in April 2010.

In July 2011 Mrs Palmer, said at the time to be of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to three animal cruelty charges at Selby Magistrates Court and her son, then of Rein Road, Wakefield, admitted seven similar offences.

Sentencing:
Both defendants were given 18-week suspended jail sentences. Mrs Palmer was ordered to pay £500 costs. Her son was sentenced to 100 hours’ unpaid work and must pay £1,000 costs. Banned from keeping livestock for life (later appealed unsuccessfully).

Daily Mail
York Press
York Press (appeal outcome)