CONVICTED (2019) | Rebecca Wilkin, born 24/09/1977 of Burnley Road, Crawshawboth, Rossendale BB4, her partner Jade English (aka Jade Hughes), born 30/04/1989, of Manchester Road, Burnley BB11, and Carl Jason Watson, born 25/10/1972, of Cog Lane, Burnley BB11 – convicted of cruelty offences relating to horses and a dog Convicted animal abusers Jade English, Becky Wilkin and Carl Jason Watson all of Lancashire, North-West England Becky Wilkin, Jade English and Carl Jason Watson admitted a number of offences under the Animal Welfare Act relating to animals being kept at an allotment off Moseley Road, Burnley. English and Wilkin pleaded guilty to five offences relating to horses and a dog, while Watson pleaded guilty to one offence relating to a horse. The trio of animal abusers appeared before Burnley Magistrates’ Court for sentencing on Thursday January 17, 2019. The RSPCA attended the allotment on December 12, 2017, following reports of a collapsed horse. Domino was found collapsed in a locked filthy stable and had to be euthanised at the scene. RSPCA inspector Lynsey Taylor said: “What we found when we got there was shocking. “The collapsed horse we’d been called about, Domino, was laid at the entrance to the allotment, a few feet away from his stable which had been bolted shut top and bottom but Domino had kicked the lower stable door open in his distress. “Very sadly there was nothing vets could do for him but end his suffering and he was put to sleep at the scene. “A second horse, a colt called Koda, was also down but we managed to get him back on his feet and he was taken to HAPPA – the Horses and Ponies Protection Association – who had also had a call and arrived at the location when we did. “There were a number of horses at the allotments living in awful conditions – they were underweight, had overgrown feet, lameness, lice and mites to different degrees. “A dog, called Cyprus, who had recently had puppies was also living in disgusting conditions and, along with the horses, was taken into possession by police on veterinary advice. She was underweight and suffering from mastitis and diarrhoea.” A horse called Gypsy Boy and Cyprus the dog were signed over to the RSPCA straight away, along with Koda who was then signed over to HAPPA and is still at their centre where he continues his recovery (pictured left). Becky Wilkin was convicted of cruelty to horses and a dog. In April 2018, the RSPCA attended the allotment again after a police officer – attending for something else – raised concerns about a horse he’d seen. Deano – a colt – was in a poor body condition and taken into possession by police on the advice of a vet and placed in RSPCA care. In mitigation the court heard that it was not deliberate cruelty and that the horses were rescued from elsewhere and the defendants did their best but didn’t have the money to feed or house them properly. In respect of Watson, the court heard that he hadn’t had Deano the horse very long. RSPCA Inspector Taylor said: “These animals were failed by these people and they suffered – and in Domino’s case died – as a result.” Sentencing: Jade English – six-month community order with an eight-week curfew and 10 rehabilitation activity days. Total of £1,285 costs and charges. Disqualified from keeping equines for four years and a deprivation order was placed on three horses not previously signed over to the RSPCA. Becky Wilkin – 12-month community order including 20 rehabilitation activity days. Total of £1,285 costs and charges. Disqualified from keeping equines for four years. Carl Jason Watson – nine-week curfew. Total costs and charges of £685. Disqualified from keeping equines for two years and a deprivation order was placed on Deano. Horse & Hound