CONVICTED (2017) | Neil Duncan Harper, born 24 September 1978, currently of Montacute, Somerset and previously of Parksey Park, Pitney in Langport – starved two horses and a foal to emaciation Harper, who is originally from Uckfield, East Sussex, was found guilty of three counts of causing unnecessary suffering to three horses. He was found to have failed to investigate and address the cause of grey gelding Aramis’ weight loss, failed to ensure six-week-old colt Tristan had received adequate nutrition and failed to investigate or address the poor condition of his dam Meggy. The RSPCA was called by members of the public concerned for the horses’ welfare. Inspector Marie Griffiths said: “It was heartbreaking to see horses so extremely thin and undernourished and particularly upsetting to find that Meggy had suffered such weight loss that she was physically unable to produce milk to nourish her young foal. “To let these horses get into such a shocking state is inexcusable. Aramis had been left to suffer so badly, he sadly passed away, but thankfully both Meggy and her foal Tristan have made a brilliant recovery and I hope that they will now go on to live out their days in wonderful, loving homes.” Harper had pleaded not guilty at an earlier hearing, saying he felt he had done all he could to care for his animals. Meggy and Tristan, who were seized by police and given into the RSPCA’s care at the time they were found, have been signed over to the charity to be rehomed. Sentencing: Fined £400 and ordered to pay £1,000 court costs. Banned from owning horses for life. Horse and Hound