LEE AND SARAH ROBERTS FROM CANNOCK SENTENCED FOR STARVING HORSE LADY

Lee S Roberts, born around 1972, and his wife Sarah Roberts, born on November 23, 1978, both residing on Huntington Terrace Road in Cannock, have been found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to their horse, Lady. The couple’s actions came under scrutiny following an investigation by the RSPCA, which uncovered the distressing condition of the bay mare.

It was a member of the public who first alerted authorities after witnessing Lady in a collapsed state at a set of stables located off Stafford Road in Cannock. The horse was discovered wearing a rug, a detail that initially concealed the severity of her emaciation. The RSPCA inspector, Rob Crutchley, responded to the call and arrived at the scene to find Lady in a dire condition.

Inspector Crutchley recounted that the horse’s appearance was not immediately revealing due to the rug she was wearing. However, upon lifting the covering, it became painfully clear that Lady had been subjected to prolonged neglect and starvation. The mare was severely emaciated, with a body condition score of just 0.5 out of five, indicating extreme weakness and malnutrition. Veterinarians who examined her expressed grave concern, concluding that her suffering was so severe that the most humane option was to euthanize her.

Tragically, Lady was put down to end her pain and suffering. Her body was subsequently sent for a post-mortem examination, which confirmed that she had suffered from poor nutrition and was starved for several weeks. The vet’s assessment revealed that there was no grazing available for her in the field, further evidence of neglect. Inspector Crutchley emphasized that if it hadn’t been for the rug hiding her condition, authorities might have been alerted sooner, potentially saving her life.

Following their guilty plea, Lee and Sarah Roberts were sentenced to serve 150 hours of unpaid work each. Additionally, they were ordered to pay costs of £250. The court also imposed a ban on them from keeping any equines for a period of ten years, a restriction that will remain in effect until October 2027. This case highlights the importance of animal welfare and the consequences of neglecting the needs of vulnerable animals in the Cannock area.