JANET CARTER AND TREVOR HAMPTON'S HORRIFIC ANIMAL CRUELTY IN CAMBORNE REVEALED

Janet Marlene Carter of Newton Moor Farm, Troon, Camborne, along with Trevor Alven Hampton of 4 Chapel Court, Edward Street, Camborne, have been found guilty of a series of severe animal cruelty offenses involving their farm animals. The convictions stem from a series of inspections and investigations carried out by the RSPCA, which uncovered appalling conditions and neglect on their property.

In March 2017, an RSPCA inspector was called to a paddock at Newton Moor Farm after reports of animals straying onto nearby roads. During this visit, the inspector discovered a miniature Shetland pony owned by Carter suffering from critically overgrown hooves, which had become so deformed that the animal struggled to stand. The inspector described the pony as having long, misshapen hooves, and noted that the animal was in considerable pain. Carter, during an interview, referred to the pony as ‘the rocking horse’ and casually remarked that the pony had “always walked funny.” Shockingly, Carter also stated, “If there’s a problem, we’ll just have it shot and that’s that,” revealing a disturbing attitude towards animal welfare. The pony was handed over to the RSPCA, and a veterinarian confirmed that the bones in his legs had rotated, causing him immense suffering. Unfortunately, due to the severity of his condition, euthanasia was deemed the only humane option.

Further inspections in April 2017 uncovered a distressing scene involving pigs, poultry, sheep, and cattle. The inspector found piglets in their pens shivering without access to heat lamps, and feeding troughs that were meant to hang on fences were being used improperly, exposing the animals to sharp hooks. Some pigsties lacked proper railings, risking injury to the sows and piglets. Several sows were kept in filthy conditions, and in another barn, piglets were able to squeeze between railings and mingle with cattle, raising concerns about animal safety and welfare. The inspection also highlighted issues with the number of cattle housed in a large barn, where bulls, cows, calves, and heifers were kept together in a manner that contravened good farming practices.

In a subsequent visit in December 2017, inspectors found fences that had collapsed, with trailing barbed wire and metal panels with exposed sharp edges, posing a danger to the animals. The condition of the poultry varied; some had access to water and fresh bedding, but others were kept in complete darkness, deprived of the ability to swim or bathe their heads. A sheep was found in an extremely emaciated state, so severely starved that he was nearly dead. The conditions on the farm painted a grim picture of neglect and cruelty.

As a result of these findings, both Carter and Hampton faced legal action. They were both banned from keeping horses and poultry for ten years, with the possibility of applying to have this ban reviewed after five years. The court acknowledged that Carter and Hampton’s livelihoods depended on farming, which influenced the decision not to impose bans on pigs, sheep, and cattle.

In sentencing, Carter received a 12-week custodial sentence for each of her charges, to run concurrently, but the sentences were suspended for one year. She was also ordered to pay £7,000 in court costs and a £115 victim surcharge. Hampton was sentenced to 10 weeks in prison for each charge, also to run concurrently and suspended for one year, with a requirement to pay £3,000 in costs and a £115 victim surcharge. The judge’s rulings reflect the severity of the neglect and cruelty inflicted upon the animals at Newton Moor Farm in Camborne.