Drop it or be a witness in criminal proceedings?

[ribena73]

I bought a horse recently that broke down within 2 weeks of having her. I thought I was buying from a private seller but turns out she works for a dealer. Have spotted another ad of theirs in ad trader this week and so rang them and they confirmed it. In fact they confirmed that she'd had multiple ads although only 3 different in the part 12 months (they buy horses of a similar stamp and use the same ad consecutively so it looks like its the same horse they're selling). There is currently 4 ads on the internet selling same stamp horses and I'm guessing the dealer has salespeople to sell the horses as if they were a private sale.

Anyway, trading standards are very interested in ths, and particularly as this well known dealer (with a horrendous reputation) is selling horses through other people pretending to be private sellers. They want to pursue this in criminal proceedings and want me to act as a witness for them. I am worried as I have a young family and don't want any repercussions as I have heard very nasty things about these people (the son was cleared of beating to death a horse over the head with a pipe but no smoke without fire in my opinion).

I was wondering what you would do in my situation. The horse I have is lovely natured and quiet but she has done a tendon and it was because an old injury hadn't been allowed to heal. They had offered initially to swap her but then offered a doped up ott tb with a huge lump on its off hind cannon bone and with wet freezing cold legs when we first examined him! The dealer then said "give me £500 and you can keep them both". At that point I left the yard!

Anyway, sorry this is a bit long winded, but I would appreciate any thoughts on this x

 

[scotsmare]

Ultimately you have to be happy with what you're doing but IMO they shouldn't be allowed to continue to get away with ripping people off.

 

[catdragon]

Gosh, a hard one. I would be tempted to discuss your reservations/fears with the relevant authorities BEFORE divulging/agreeing to anything.

I was involved in a similar thing years back, but a guy who was stealing cars. I didn't want the court appearance (the guy was a known druggie & unpredicatable). But the police did use the details of my car's theft without the need of my presence. He was convicted for that and other crimes, though the police reckon his time would have been increased had I given a testimony as well.

Are trading standards aware of anyone else who would testify or is it just yourself?

 

[jules34]

I agree - they could do this to someone else... They prob already have. Do you have a receipt/evidence of who you bought the horse from? Does the passport say who the previous owner was? Might be worth getting in touch with them. Dare I ask did you get it vetted? If so you may have some comeback if the vet has missed this old injury?

Good luck

 

[custard]

The burden of proof is greater in the criminal court than privately, I'd ask just how trading standards are proposing to deal with these people since it's soul destroying to go through the mill of being a witness without a conviction at the end of it.

You do have some protection though. Once you have made a statement if they approach you directly or via a third party and threaten you in any way that is classed as 'Interference with a witness' which carries a hefty prison sentence.

 

[ribena73]

Thanks for your thoughts, I am still in two minds about what to do. However, I now know for certain that the woman that I bought from has had at least 4 ads in freeads over the past year and so can be classed as a trader in her own right now and so I can take action against her under the sale of goods act. I'm giving up on dealing with these people myself as I'm a pushover, my husband is getting involved now as he's firmer and won't take any messing! He'll ring her with the info that we have already and tell her that trading standards are interested but we will only talk to them if its absolutely necessary. Hopefully she'll come back with something. If not then I will get our solicitor to draft a letter to her.

Not sure what info trading standards have but consumer direct did say that they wouldn't get involved at such an early stage unless they already had a case file on them so they must be aware of something.

 

[Daisychain]

Did you have the horse vetted? Because from what you describe it should have been obvious... and did you pay much money for the horse?

 

[ribena73]

No I didn;t have the horse vetted (yes bad move I know that now) and I didn't pay much for her. (£1500). But we queried a slight thickening of the tendon and they said that it was fine and not a problem, even got her previous owner to lie to me on the phone.

Trading standards rang me back this morning, they are going to investigate the yard I bought her from and can do so without me if necessary. They would also now class this woman as a dealer and I'm sure that the real dealer will hang her out to dry given half a chance. I feel sorry for her as I think she's got herself into something she can't get out of. But then she has sold me in effect a three legged horse!

I also had one of the other parents at my kids school this morning say "if you need a result, I know some people...."

Am wondering if i can borrow simon cowell's bouncer off the X factor to deliver my letter rejecting the horse under the sale of goods act lol (yes I'm a fan and I know it's sad!

)

 

[SpruceRI]

It might be worth getting Trading Standards to contact the Horse & Hound Media/Legal team as I think they often get reports or queries from disgruntled buyers about what they can do in their case.

HHO may have some further evidence or contacts who have complained.

 

[ribena73]

That's an idea, next time I speak to the trading standards guy I will mention it.

I am wishing I had a photo of the woman as I would put posters up in all local saddleries, farm shops and livery yards warnign people not to buy a horse from her.... but then I guess i could get done for defamation of character!