Five-month custodial sentence for teenage horse ‘slasher’
The owner of a horse who was slashed so badly with a meat cleaver that she had to be put down has told H&H that the culprit’s sentence would “never be enough”.
Davina Bowyer owned Maggie (pictured right), a 19-year-old piebald mare who was attacked in a field in Essington, Wolverhampton, last April by Matthew Corfield and another man — both aged 19.
After admitting causing unnecessary suffering to the horse, Corfield was sentenced last month to five months in a young offenders institution by Cannock Magistrates Court.
Ms Bowyer said: “I do feel justice has been served in some way, but I’m not sure I’ll ever feel 100% about it — whether he had five months or five years.”
The court also ordered Corfield, of Wednesfield, Wolverhampton, to do 180 hours of community work after hearing earlier how the teenager laughed as he carried out the attack with two other men and tried to film it with his mobile phone.
Alex Lister, of Olinthus Avenue, Wednesfield, also admitted causing unnecessary suffering, but insisted he had only chased the horse. He was given a 12-month community order and 180 hours’ community service.
Charges against Anthony Hinsley, 19, were dropped.
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On 13 April 2007, Ms Bowyer found her mare bleeding heavily with wounds to the neck, shoulder and legs. One hind tendon was cut so badly it was severed to the bone.
The three men were arrested after locals raised £1,500 for information leading to the conviction of those responsible.
Ms Bowyer added that the response from the public had been “phenomenal”.
“I have received so many letters, so much support,” she said. “And the police have been fantastic, too.”
This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (10 April, ’07)
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