Welsh pony judge Monica Hewitt jailed for four months
Welsh Pony and Cob Society judge Monica Hope Hewitt has been jailed after what the judge described as “the worst case of animal cruelty” he had seen in court.
Mrs Hope Hewitt, 84, of Roston near Ashbourne, pleaded guilty to 13 counts of causing unnecessary suffering to 31 ponies and four dogs.
The RSPCA showed the court a video from 14 March 2008, showing ponies with severely neglected feet, standing in excrement. One pony’s rug was so tight it had dug deeply into the skin.
Seven horses were put to sleep after being seized by the RSPCA.
Jack Russell terriers were found in cat carriers, with infected gums and other health problems — two were so poorly they were put to sleep.
Mrs Hewitt was jailed for four months and banned from keeping horses for life by a judge at Derby Magistrates Court on Friday, 27 February.
Her daughter, Monica May Hewitt, of Rocester, admitted five counts of cruelty. She was given a four month suspended sentence.
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A self-confessed newshound, farmer’s daughter and journalist of many years' experience, Charlotte worked on regional papers before joining H&H in 2007. A regular rider, she visited Ireland in 2010 to investigate the fate of Irish horses through the recession, to much acclaim, and reported from the FEI General Assembly in Rio de Janeiro in 2011. She left Horse & Hound in March 2013.