BROOKE LEE FROM OTLEY SENTENCED FOR HORSE FRAUDS IN YORK AND BEYOND

Brooke Lee, a fraudulent horse dealer from Weston Drive, Otley, has been found guilty of multiple charges related to the mis-selling and deception involving horses, leading to severe consequences for unsuspecting buyers and owners. The case was thoroughly investigated by the City of York Council’s trading standards team, culminating in Lee’s guilty plea to four counts of fraud and one count of money laundering at York Crown Court.

Lee’s criminal activities spanned several years and involved a series of deceitful practices aimed at profiting from the sale of horses under false pretenses. Among her most notorious schemes was the sale of a lame horse, which she falsely claimed she would keep for life, and the falsification of a horse’s passport to conceal its true condition and age. Her actions not only betrayed the trust of horse owners but also put the animals’ welfare at significant risk.

One of the earliest known incidents involved a mare named Remedy, owned by two sisters who could no longer ride her due to her severe lameness and multiple medical issues. In April 2014, the sisters came across an advertisement for a gelding called Storm, being sold by Lee under the alias Kate Jones. They agreed to purchase Storm, with the understanding that Lee would provide Remedy with a retirement home. The sisters explicitly informed Lee that Remedy was lame and unrideable, a fact also documented in her horse passport by their veterinarian.

However, on the day Storm was scheduled to be transferred to the sisters, Lee falsely claimed that the horse had suddenly been euthanized. Despite this, the sisters handed Remedy over, trusting that she would be cared for in her retirement. Unfortunately, Remedy’s former owner attempted multiple times to contact Lee for updates on her welfare but received no response. The owner also posted on social media seeking information about Remedy’s whereabouts.

In April 2014, Lee sold Remedy at York Auction Centre, claiming she was fit for riding, which was false. She tampered with Remedy’s passport, removing the veterinarian’s notes and altering details about her previous owner. The deception was uncovered when Remedy’s new owner, eager to compete her, discovered her lameness and other health issues. The new owner was injured when Remedy threw her off, resulting in broken ribs, highlighting the dangerous consequences of Lee’s dishonesty.

Another fraudulent scheme involved a mare named Summer, sold through the same auction centre in July 2015. Lee described Summer as a safe, seven-year-old horse with riding club experience. Once at her new home, the buyer quickly became suspicious after discovering that Summer was actually 14 years old, had previously been in RSPCA care, and had never been ridden. Further investigation revealed that Lee had applied for a new passport for Summer just three days before the auction, falsifying her details and forging a veterinarian’s signature. The original passport was later found at Lee’s residence.

Judge Stubbs QC sentenced Lee to a 20-month prison term, suspended for two years, along with 200 hours of community service. She was also ordered to pay £2,362.50 in fines. The judge condemned her greed and lack of remorse, emphasizing the serious and often catastrophic consequences of her actions, which included horses being ridden despite their health issues and owners suffering injuries. The court’s decision underscores the importance of vigilance and integrity within the equine industry, especially in regions like Otley and York where such scams can have far-reaching impacts.