Verdict upheld in Amersham case
By Imogen Johnson
General news
06 May 2010 12:00
It’s been a long and gruelling wait but the original verdict in the Amersham animal cruelty case has been upheld today (6/05/2010) at Aylesbury Crown Court.
James Gray, his wife Julie, daughters Jodie and Cordelia, and James Gray Junior, were successfully prosecuted by the RSPCA in 2009, but appealed against charges of neglect and cruelty under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
Two of the charges were dismissed earlier in the appeal hearing, and the juvenile male was acquitted of a further two today. The rest were upheld by presiding judge Christopher Tyrer today following 33 days of evidence.
"We are delighted that the court has upheld the verdict," says Paul Jepson, Chief Executive and Veterinary Director of The Horse Trust.
"The last year has been very stressful for staff at the sanctuary as we were worried about what would happen to the horses we've been looking after if the conviction was overturned."
People all over the country, especially those involved in the amazing care of the Amersham animals will today be delighted with the verdict.
Redwings Head of Welfare and Senior Vet Nicolas de Brauwere led the rescue effort. He said: “We are delighted with this result, not to mention incredibly relieved. As events unfolded on the 9th January 2008 we found more and more evidence of untold suffering that shocked us and compelled us to act. We always believed that the evidence would support today’s verdict.”|
The appeal against sentence will take place on May 12th, also at Aylesbury Crown Court at 10am.
For more information about the animals from the Amersham case visit www.redwings.org.uk and www.horsetrust.org.uk