Dealer Tom Price given suspended prison sentence for breaching horse-keeping ban
A notorious dealer in Wales has been given a suspended eight-week jail sentence after breaching an order banning him from owning equines.
Thomas Price, 52, was also made the subject of a criminal behaviour order at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court.
Investigating officers found that despite an animal disqualification order imposed in 2013, he had continued to deal in horses on at least 11 separate occasions.
Price was jailed for eight months in 2013, having been convicted of 57 animal welfare and cruelty charges. He was also banned from keeping horses for five years.
But he was arrested on 16 August 2016 after a multi-agency investigation, which found he had breached the animal disqualification order.
Following his most recent arrest, 70 horses were seized by shared regulatory services.
Inspector Gary Smart said: “Our investigation proved that Thomas Price had persisted in fly-grazing in various locations throughout the Vale and Bridgend, without permission of the landowners and despite the ADO.
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“Both those dealing with Mr Price, and the numerous horses in his possession needed protection from this man, which is why we were pleased our application for a criminal behaviour order was successful.
“We will continue to monitor Mr Price’s activity while he is subject to these orders and will take further action should he be found not to be complying with the conditions.
“We would urge the public to let us know via 101 if they suspect this man is breaching any of the conditions imposed on him.”
Under the conditions of the order, Price is not allowed to drive or be a passenger in any vehicle towing or transporting horses until the expiry of the disqualification order imposed on 5 July 2013.
Participating in or assisting with the herding or removal of horses from public or private land was also forbidden until the end of the order.
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Price was additionally banned from being within 50 metres of horses being herded or removed to or from public or private land, except for his own land until the expiry date.
An RSPCA Cymru spokesperson said: “Disqualification orders are important tool in protecting animal welfare, and, clearly, there are consequences of them being ignored or breached.”
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