SIMON NALL OF SWADLINCOTE SENTENCED FOR HORSE CRUELTY IN DERBYSHIRE

Simon J Nall, born around 1997 and residing on Stanhope Road in Swadlincote, was found guilty of neglecting his piebald colt horse, Storm, leading to the animal's prolonged suffering and death. The case, heard at Derby Magistrates’ Court, revealed disturbing details about the neglect that culminated in the horse's agonising demise.

According to court reports, Nall had failed to provide proper care for Storm over several months. The horse was kept in a field on Valley Road, Overseal, alongside four other horses owned by his mother, Julia Nall, and his sister, Rachel Nall. Both Julia and Rachel faced separate prosecutions and were convicted for their roles in the cruelty case. The court was told that Storm appeared to have been dead for several days when he was discovered, with signs indicating he had struggled in his final days. Evidence showed a pile of faeces beneath his tail, suggesting he had been in that position for an extended period.

Inspectors found Storm in a severely neglected state. The horse was underweight, with a poor overall condition, and his hooves were overlong, measuring between 14 and 20 centimetres. Additionally, he was suffering from chronic laminitis, a painful hoof condition that can cause severe discomfort. A veterinarian concluded that it would have taken several months for Storm to reach such a state of neglect, indicating a prolonged period of suffering.

During police interviews, Nall admitted that he did not visit Storm frequently and could not recall the last time he had seen the horse. This lack of oversight was a key factor in the case. The court's chairman, Philip Hickson, described the case as one of the worst instances of animal cruelty the bench had encountered. He emphasized that Nall bore responsibility for the horse's suffering, noting that he had made no effort to check on Storm and showed no remorse for his neglect. The judge stated, “This is one of the worst cases of animal cruelty this bench has seen. It was your responsibility to prevent this. You made no attempt to check on the animal and you showed no remorse. You accept now that you were personally responsible for the agonising death of this animal.”

Representing Nall, solicitor John McGregor explained that Nall believed his mother, Julia Nall, who did not live with him, had been caring for Storm. As a result, Nall did not regularly attend to the horse himself. Despite this, the court found him culpable for the neglect.

Sentencing included an 18-week prison term, suspended for two years, alongside 250 hours of unpaid work. Nall was also subjected to a three-month curfew and ordered to pay £515 in costs and charges. Furthermore, he received a lifetime ban on keeping any equines, effectively prohibiting him from owning or caring for horses in the future. The case has drawn significant attention to animal welfare issues in the region, highlighting the importance of responsible pet ownership and oversight.