Former owner of Charlotte Dujardin’s rescue pony jailed

The woman charged with neglecting Charlotte Dujardin’s rescue foal has been jailed.

Lisa Fletcher, 47, of Winchcombe, Glos, appeared for sentencing at Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court yesterday (Monday 9 June).

She was given a 16-week custodial sentence, ordered to pay £2,000 costs and disqualified from keeping equines for life.

Ms Fletcher, who had already been banned from keeping horses for 5 years from last October after she pleaded guilty to three offences of neglecting a grey Arab stallion, admitted 2 counts of causing suffering to 2 horses and 1 count of breaching a disqualification order.

Speaking after the sentencing, RSPCA inspector Suzi Smith said: “I am pleased that the sentence in this case reflects the severity of the offences.

“Without veterinary treatment the outcome for these 2 horses could have been tragic.”

Inspector Smith was called to a DIY livery yard in December last year where she found 2 very thin colts. One was later adopted by the Olympic Champion, who named him Santa.

“He was so thin and scrawny when I first met him, and he was wearing a dog rug,” recalled Charlotte.

The second colt, a yearling called Frank, is recovering well and is due to be re-homed soon.

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