Horse trader James Gray to be sentenced this afternoon

Buckinghamshire horse trader James Gray is due to be sentenced this afternoon.

James Gray and his family have appeared in Aylesbury Magistrates Court for sentencing following their convictions last month.

On 8 May, Bicester Magistrates Court convicted James Gray, of Spindle Farm, Chalk Lane, Hyde Heath, and his son James Gray Junior of nine charges of causing unneccessary suffering to animals and two charges of failing to protect animals from pain, injury, suffering and disease.

Gray’s wife Julie and daughters Cordelia and Jodie were found guilty of the two charges of failing to protect the animals.

RSPCA officers found 31 dead horses, ponies and donkeys at the farm when they attended in January 2008. A further 115 were removed alive but in poor condition.

This morning, James Gray Junior, 16, was given an 18-month supervision order and has been banned from keeping equines for 10 years. He cannot appeal this ban for five years.

Julie Gray, 42, and daughters Jodie Gray, 26, and Cordelia Gray, 21, have also been banned from keeping equines for 10 years, which they cannot appeal for five years. They have been given 150 hours community service each over 12 months.

Julie Gray has also been ordered to pay £750 in costs, and Cordelia Gray and Jodie Gray £500 each.

James John Gray will receive his sentence this afternoon.

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