140 horses left to die at ‘horror’ farm

A family of five were found guilty today of neglecting more than 100 horses, ponies and donkeys on a farm.

The animals were left to die of starvation in a "horror scene" surrounded by rotting corpses.

RSPCA inspectors discovered 140 animals when they were called to Spindle Farm in Amersham, Buckinghamshire.

Horse trader James Gray, 45, and his son James, 16, were found guilty of 11 charges of causing unnecessary suffering to and failing to meet welfare needs of the animals. His wife Julie, 41, and daughters Jodie, 26, and Cordelia, 20, were each found guilty of two charges of failing to protect the animals.

Vets described it as the worst case of cruelty they had seen. Horses were crammed into pens, ankle deep in faeces, Bicester magistrates' court heard.

One inspector found 32 carcasses and body parts scattered across the farm, and a mound of bones and skulls. The Grays will be sentenced on 12 June.