VICTORIA BROOKSBANK AND RICHARD MARNICK CONVICTED IN LEEDS FOR HORSE NEGLECT

Victoria Catherine Brooksbank, born around 1977 and residing on Severn Drive, Garforth, Leeds LS25 2BB, along with Richard Marnick, born on June 19, 1995, of The Marsh, 70 Uppermoor, Pudsey LS28 7EX, were convicted in 2020 of failing to care properly for a horse, leading to the animal's deterioration.

The court heard that Marnick had been loaned a thoroughbred gelding named Archie and paid Brooksbank, an experienced horse trainer operating under the name VB Equestrian, £80 weekly to care for him at her Garforth stables. Initially, Archie arrived in good health, and Marnick paid for full livery, which included hay and hard feed. However, after 18 months, the horse was found severely underweight and in poor condition.

In July 2019, Archie’s original owner saw a photograph of him posted on social media and arranged for a veterinary examination. The vet assessed Archie as very thin, assigning him a body condition score of just one out of five, indicating he was extremely emaciated. Promptly, the RSPCA decided to prosecute both Marnick and Brooksbank.

The court noted that Archie had been subjected to "inadequate nutrition" and that his suffering might have persisted "for weeks, possibly months." The 2022 images of Marnick depict him acknowledging accountability. Marnick, who pleaded guilty earlier, explained he checked on Archie once weekly but was often preoccupied due to working six days a week as a courier. He admitted, "I pleaded guilty because I should have done something about it sooner. I should have removed Archie (from Brooksbank) much earlier than I did." He also mentioned that he was consulting a nutritionist in an attempt to improve Archie’s condition, but the horse was taken away before he could implement these plans.

A probation officer who interviewed Brooksbank reported that she believed Archie belonged to Marnick and had consistently urged him to increase the horse’s exercise, improve his diet, and seek expert advice. The officer added that Brooksbank later expressed regret, wishing she had been more forceful in convincing Marnick to act sooner. Although she denied the offense but was eventually convicted, she has generally cared well for her other horses, and this case was considered an anomaly.

Judge Richard Powell commented on the case, stating, "This was unintentional. There was no desire to neglect the horse but I think I need to make a point now—there is only one victim in this whole affair, and that’s Archie, who has been neglected." Addressing Marnick directly, he said, "You were the owner of the horse and you had taken your eye off the ball. You were busy with your job and did not give enough attention to the horse."

He also noted that Brooksbank had "no intention to harm the horse" but, as an experienced trainer, should have taken better care. The court found Marnick more culpable due to his daily involvement and failure to prevent the animal’s deterioration.

Marnick received a fine of £532, with £300 allocated to the RSPCA. Brooksbank was fined a total of £982, of which £750 will be donated to the RSPCA. Neither was disqualified from owning animals, though the court emphasized the importance of animal welfare responsibility.