Stockton pair jailed for neglecting horses

One of the horses was just hours away from death when he was found by the RSPCA.

Author: Gemma ColePublished 30th Aug 2018

A man and woman have been jailed for causing unnecessary suffering to a number of horses who had been left emaciated, covered in lice and mud.

Ian David Tait (DOB 06/06/1973) of Dover Road, Stockton on Tees, pleaded guilty to charges relating to a piebald pony called Dinky and a piebald horse called Harley who he failed to provide a suitable environment for.

Courtney Marie Layton (DOB 15/04/1999), of no fixed abode, also pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a black gelding called Blaze and a black stallion called Little Man by failing to investigate and address the causes of their poor bodily condition and weight loss, as well as failing to provide a suitable environment for them.

The pair were sentenced at Teesside Magistrates’ Court yesterday (Wednesday 29 August).

Courtney Marie Layton was sentenced to 18 weeks in custody and Ian David Tait received 12 weeks in custody.

They were also both disqualified from keeping all animals for 10 years and ordered to pay costs of £175 and £115 victim surcharge on their release.

Two other horses have now been signed over into RSPCA care. All the horses can now be rehomed.

RSPCA Inspector Clare Wilson, who investigated, said: "This was a very serious case. One of the horses called Blaze (pictured above before, and after right) would certainly have died without our intervention. Hopefully this acts as a stark reminder to anyone who neglects animals that there can be serious consequences.

"Now that the horses have all been signed over, they can now be rehomed which is the best possible outcome."