James Gray released on bail after appealing cruelty conviction

Buckinghamshire horse trader James Gray has been released on bail after appealing against a six-month jail sentence given to him last week.

Gray was released from prison yesterday (Tuesday, 17 June) after being granted bail by a judge at Oxford Crown Court. Gray was bailed on the condition that he does not keep, deal or transport horses.

James Gray and four members of his family from Spindle Farm, Hyde Heath, Amersham, have lodged appeals against their sentences and conviction of causing unnecessary suffering to and failing to provide protection for animals on 8 May.

On Friday, 12 June, Aylesbury Magistrates Court sentenced James John Gray, 45, to six months in prison, ordered him to pay £400,000 costs and banned him from keeping horses, ponies and donkeys for life.

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 and daughters Jodie and Cordelia, were also banned from keeping equines for 10 years, which they cannot appeal for five years. They were given 150 hours community service each over 12 months.

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

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

While the case is ongoing, the fate of the animals removed from the farm is still undecided.

An appeal date has yet to be set.

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