Today, Thursday 1 July, at Bodmin Magistrates Court, Caroline Courtney Wiles of St Clether, Cornwall was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to Homer, a horse in her possession.

Courtney Wiles, of Lower Trevithiac Farm, St Clether, was sentenced to a 15 year ban on keeping horses, fined £250 and ordered to pay £1,916 towards the ILPH and the RSPCA costs.

Comments ILPH (International League for the Protection of Horses) Field Officer, Jeff Herrington, "We are delighted with the 15 year ban, this surely sends out a strong and clear deterrent message to people neglecting their horses and ponies, that the Courts treat such cases extremely seriously. Other than Courtney Wiles' 15 year ban the only good thing to come out of the case is that Homer will have a safe and secure future for the rest of his life in ILPH ownership."

RSPCA Inspector David Hobbs, added "We are very pleased with the result as the horse had suffered horrendous injuries through Courtney Wiles' negligence the likes of which I have never seen in my 18 years as an RSPCA inspector. We are extremely grateful to the professionalism shown by the ILPH and the wonderful aftercare provided to Homer."

ILPH Homer captured the hearts of the nation when his appalling plight was shown on BBC Animal Hospital with many people phoning the programme and the ILPH to find out how he was progressing. Because of his popularity Animal Hospital cameras visited him again as he was recovering at ILPH Glenda Spooner Farm, in Herefordshire and he appeared on the programme again just before Christmas.

ILPH Homer, together with many other rescued horses and ponies can be seen at Glenda Spooner Farm when it is open from 11 am until 4 pm on Wednesdays and Saturdays. For more information call 01432 840253. ILPH Homer is also in the ILPH Adopt a Horse Scheme and more details can be found at www.horse.org.uk or by calling Tina Sales on 0870 366 6930.

www.ilph.org

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