Trader guilty of Britain's worst animal cruelty case can still keep horses



A horse trader was found guilty of Britain's worst animal cruelty case yesterday - but he is still keeping animals in appalling conditions on his farm.

James Gray's 'grotesque' treatment of his horses and donkeys led to the death of dozens of the animals, while survivors were forced to live in rotting remains.

Victim of neglect: One rescued animal discovered by the RSPCA on the farm



Neglected: The body of one of the Gray family's donkeys found by inspectors

James Gray: His treatment of horses and donkeys led to dozens of deaths



But despite the conviction of Gray and his family yesterday, a delay in sentencing means authorities are powerless to prevent him from buying more horses.

And if Gray, 45, appeals against his punishment, he will be able to continue the sick trade of bedraggled horses - many of which end up on French dinner plates - until legal process runs its course.

The RSPCA raided Spindles Farm in Hyde Heath, Buckinghamshire, in January 2008, and has spent over £850,000 caring for the 115 animals it rescued.

But the charity has since been forced to visit the farm on several occasions after being alerted to further cases of alleged cruelty.

Their inspectors discovered dozens of horses, some said to be severely

malnourished. At least three have since died.

One veterinary source told the Daily Mail he regularly spots Gray at horse sales across the UK.

'It makes me sick to see him with that arrogant smile buying horses on the cheap that he will no doubt mistreat,' the source said. 'All he cares about is making a profit.'

Gray and son James junior, 16, were yesterday convicted of 11 charges under the Animal Welfare Act at Bicester Magistrates' Court.



Ghastly evidence: A horse carcass left to rot under tree branches and rubbish at Spindle Farm in Amersham, Buckinghamshire

Horse skulls left in a heap on the horror farm, where vets were overwhelmed by the stench of rotting flesh

His wife Julie, 41, and daughters Jodie, 26, and Cordelia, 20, were each found guilty of two charges under the same act. District Judge Andrew Vickers spelt out the harrowing scene found at the farm.

'Emaciated animals, tethered with no food or water,' he said.

'Rotting bodies of maltreated animals left to decompose among living ones. Twelve donkeys crammed into a pen measuring just nine feet square.'

Meanwhile, veterinary surgeon Robert Baskerville wrote in a report: 'This represents the worst case of neglect in a lifetime of working with horses.'



Discovery: An aerial view of the RSPCA rounding up abused animals last year

The court heard surviving animals were so malnourished they could not stand and were collapsed in faeces.

RSPCA inspector Kirsty Hampton said yesterday: 'This case was distressing beyond measure. What we were confronted with at the farm was grotesque.

'To see animals in such awful conditions was overwhelming. This verdict sends a clear message out.'

Gray, who has a previous conviction for causing a horse to suffer, will be sentenced along with his family on June 12. Each faces a maximum six-month prison sentence and a £20,000 fine.

Fran Cornwell, from the Think animal campaign group, said: 'The Grays must never be allowed to have any animals again.'

Rescued: Pinocchio, left, has now recovered at a sanctuary after his neglect