Animal ban farmer fined

A SUFFOLK farmer who carried on keeping animals despite being banned for starving a horse has been fined £300.

Philip Taylor was disqualified from keeping animals for life six years ago after a horse in his care was found emaciated and close to death.

But the 75-year-old ignored the ban and admitted to magistrates in Ipswich that he had continued to buy, sell and keep horses at his farm at Old London Road, Washbrook.

During a trial at the South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court RSPCA chief inspector, Mark Thompson, said he had been told by Taylor that he would be shot if he climbed over his fence.

But today the same officer slammed Taylor and said anyone found ignoring bans would be treated harshly.

He said: “We do take the breaking of disqualification orders very seriously and will continue to prosecute those who ignore court orders banning them from keeping animals.

“We would like to say to anybody who knows of people keeping animals while they are disqualified they should let us know as soon as possible because we will prosecute.”

Taylor pleaded not guilty to breaching the order on August 25 last year by selling a horse named Silver and transporting him to his new owner in Trimley St Martin.

Although he admitted he had been buying and selling horses since the ban and had six horses on his farm he said they belonged to his daughter and any involvement he had with the animals were on her behalf.

During the trial Mr Thompson said: “The driveway gate is always locked so you have to shout or bib your horn and wait for Mr Taylor to come down.

“I respect the wish of Mr Taylor not wanting us on his land because I have been told that if I climb over the gate it will be the last thing I do because he will shoot me or one of my staff.”

Taylor was found guilty of breaching the order after a trial at the court. He was fined £300 and told to pay £200 towards court costs.

Taylor was warned that if he breached the order again he could face prison.