Press Release from The ILPH

[Taboo1968]

ILPH PRESS RELEASE


Monday 7th April 2008

ILPH Press Release

Court decides rescued Amersham horses must be returned


The International League for the Protection of Horses (ILPH) is appalled at the implications of the decision made at the plea hearing of John James Gray, and co-defendants, at Oxford Magistrates Court on Friday 4th April.

We are devastated that 29 ponies and donkeys will be returned to James Gray and that the remaining 82 horses taken from Spindles Farm in January this year are to be sold on his behalf at public auction. We will be fully supporting the RSPCA who are pursuing all other legal avenues in order to secure the future welfare of the animals involved.

ILPH Chief Executive Roly Owers comments: “This is the worst possible outcome for the horses and for our staff but is by no means the end of this matter. In addition to the legal efforts to try to reverse last week’s decision by the Courts, Mr James Gray, and co-defendants, will be appearing at Oxford Magistrates Court again on Monday 28th April for another a pre-trial hearing for the criminal case being brought against them by the RSPCA, where a date for a trial will be set.”

ENDS

 

[Bedlam]

Dear forum users

While we understand that the feelings of many people run high around the case of Jamie Gray and the horses at Spindle Farm, we would like to remind you that the court case is still active – ie has not been heard in a court of law yet — and it is against the law to discuss aspects of the case which will be evidence during the case.

Please not post anything on the forum which may prejudice the case — ie pertaining to the condition of Mr Gray’s horses or your views on his innocence or guilt. Your posts could cause the case to be abandoned if the judge feels there can no longer be a fair trial.

The H&H news team

 

[Rikki]

Understood. However, there are so many people whose feelings are running very high on the issue as you will know. We simply want to make sense of it all and help if we can. Keeping us fully informed in a way which is easy to follow the facts would be great as will the Charities involved keeping their websites updated. Clear ideas of if and how the public can help with any appeal against the decision already supposedly made about the fate of the equines rescued would also be good. Equine Online are suggesting a petition - are you planning one atall? Also some people are writing to the Minister of State at DEFRA, some to the Judge - is this helpful? Would it be possible to have a bullet pointed list of 'do's and don'ts?

Thanks for letting us air our views on the Forum and for the up to date news on this and other issues!