Horse trader appeal begins

Judge Christopher Tyrer and two magistrates heard on Monday horses on the family's farm near Amersham, were found in an emaciated condition - with the carcases of dead equines in filthy pens alongside more than 100 living horses ponies and donkeys.
James Gray was jailed for 24 weeks last year - but only served four days - after being convicted at Bicester Magistrates Court in Oxfordshire, of 11 charges under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
An RSPCA inspector told Aylesbury Crown Court, which was also sitting at Bicester, of the horror scene she faced when she was among the first to enter the property on January 4, 2008.
Inspector Kirsty Hampton said James Gray initially gave permission for her and police to enter the farm to look at his horses before he became increasingly uncooperative and aggressive.
She told the court she saw nine alive horses in a pen with two dead horses and asked Gray why they died. She said: "He said 'you are always going to have some die when you have got this many."
Robert Seabrook QC prosecuting described the events as a 'profoundly disturbing and distressing state of affairs."
He alleged horse carcases were strewn around the premises and many of the alive equines had no food, clean water, or dry bedding. He said: "It was a totally sickening spectre and one which was worse than anything previously found by experienced RSPCA inspectors and police."
A pile of bones and three horse skulls were found in a bonfire mound in a field and detached hooves were found next to a pen containing horses, the court heard.
The equines were removed by police and the RSPCA in the following days.
Michael Fullerton, defending, challenged Insp Hampton on why the RSPCA needed to remove the remaining horses, which were seized on January 9, after those in the worst condition had already been taken away or put down by vets for their own welfare.
Insp Hampton added: "We had 32 dead horses. It was an extremely horrific case of neglect and cruelty. There was no way we could leave the other horses there."
A 16-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is also appealing against his conviction of the same offences as James Gray. In addition to the two charges of failing to meet the animals' welfare needs, they were found guilty of nine counts of causing unnecessary suffering.
The case, which is expected to last for four weeks, continues.