Crime

A VET has likened some of the 'appallingly thin' horses, ponies and donkeys owned by farmer James Gray to survivors of Belsen or Auschwitz concentration camps.
Paul Jepson, veterinary surgeon at The Horse Trust's Home for Rest for Horses, examined 14 equines taken into the charity's care at Speen, near Princes Risborough.
He told a court: "One gets quite used to seeing scruffy ponies but I was quite shocked when I saw these animals - shocked an appalled to be honest. What came to mind was the visions one sees on the television of Belsen and Auschwitz.
"The animals I was looking at, they struck me as appallingly thin but I think, overwhelmingly, the apathy they were exhibiting, that struck me the most.
"My stable manager, who is quite a hard nut, actually cried when she saw these animals, and that is unusual."

POLICE officers and a helicopter were on the scene of horse trader James Gray's farm as Trading Standards officers investigated this week.
Police confirmed they were present to prevent a breach of the peace while photographs were being taken at Spindles Farm, in Chalk Lane, Hyde Heath, by council officers as part of Gray's ongoing appeal proceedings against conviction of animal cruelty charges last year.

THE family of a teenager who died at a house party have said they have been left 'devastated' by his death.
Amersham and Wycombe College student Ben Walters, 18, was found dead on Tuesday at a property in Priory Close, Berkhamsted.
Six people have been arrested on drug charges in relation to the incident. The cause of death is currently unknown as the Hertfordshire Coroner awaits test results.

A VET has told a court of how he believed emaciated horses found at the farm of trader James Gray were suffering unnecessarily.
Senior veterinary surgeon Nicolas de Brauwere, head of welfare and rehabilitation at Redwings horse sanctuary in Norfolk gave a 'body condition' mark of just 0.5 on a scale of 0 to 5 for a horse he assessed at Spindles Farm, in Chalk Lane, Hyde Heath.

TRIALS for serious offences could take place in Amersham after plans to hear Crown Court cases were unveiled.
A planning application for a major refurbishment to take place at The Court House, in King George V Road, has been submitted by The Ministry of Justice.

The APPEAL of a horse trader and his family convicted of animal cruelty charges following one of the 'worst cases of animal suffering' ever seen by vets began this week.
James Gray, 46, his wife Julie, 42, and their daughters Cordelia, 21, of Spindles Farm, Chalk Lane, Hyde Heath, and Jodie, 27, of Park Road, Ashford, Middlesex, were last year found guilty of failing to ensure protected animals' welfare needs were met.

A NEW youth club has been set up in Little Chalfont to aim to tackle the problem of anti-social behaviour blighting the village.
The club came about after householders and shop owners complained about the problems.
It was set up Thames Valley Police, Little Chalfont Parish Council, and residents including young people from the area.

POLICE have launched a Facebook page to encourage people to become a Special Constable.
The page on the social networking site is part of a campaign to recruit more of the volunteer police officers and will be linked to the main Thames Valley Police page.
The group will offer those thinking of taking up the position a chance to ask questions, get an insight into the role and information about how to join.

A MAN who wished a group of men 'a happy new year' in Little Chalfont was attacked in an attempted robbery.
The victim was struck in the face with a wooden object and fell to the floor where he was struck again from behind but managed to hit one of the assailants in the face.
The man had been dropped off in White Lion Road at 10.50pm on New Year's Eve and was approaching a tunnel into Marygold Walk when he greeted three men standing by the entrance as he tried to pass.

A 12-year-old boy was among a group of four charged with distraction burglary offences targeting elderly people.
Patrick Nolan, 46, from Hampton, Middlesex, Michael Henge, 37, from Bicester, Oxfordshire, Bridget Todd, aged 34, from Uxbridge and the youngster from Uxbridge have been charged by Thames Valley Police with 21 counts of conspiracy to burgle between October 23 and December 17, in connection with offences that occurred across Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, and Oxfordshire.