Sources:  Eveningstandard.co.uk, telegraph.co.uk, horseandcountry.co.uk, and others

May 30, 2010.  James Gray, of Spindle Farm,  Buckinghamshire, England, was convicted of multiple charges under the Animal Welfare Act 2006,  in the largest case of it's kind in British history.  

Over 100 horses in desperate condition were removed from Spindle Farm in January. 2008.   Many were severely emaciated and had been found in filthy conditions, with little or no food and water, surrounded by the skeletons and corpses of animals which had not survived. 

The surviving horses, ponies and donkeys, many in seriously bad health, were taken to several sanctuaries and animal trust locations for rehabilitation.  The costs for health care and feed for the animals was well over £100,000.

Gray accumulated many horses as a dealer in the horse meat trade in the UK.  Horse meat is not generally sold within the UK, but is consumed in other countries within the EU.

After a lengthy trial, in May 2009, he was sentenced to 6 months in jail, plus fines.  His wife, three daughters and a teenage son were also found guilty and faced sentences as well.  Gray, it was found, was actually a repeat offender having been convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to horses  in 2006.

After exhausting appeals against the conviction, Gray was due for a sentencing hearing this month, but disappeared from the courtroom.   Police caught him this week during a routine traffic stop.   He was again brought up for sentencing, and an additional two months was added to his jail term.  

Gray has also been given a lifetime ban from owning horses; his wife and children received a ten year ban.  

Spindle Farm is now for sale.