Bognor Regis couple banned from keeping animals for a decade

Katrina Sullivan, 42, and Jamie Middleton, 36, neglected a pony and horse so badly that they both died and have been banned from keeping animals for 10 years after a prosecution by the RSPCA.

Sullivan and Middleton both pleaded guilty to two offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and appeared for sentencing at Worthing Magistrates’ Court.

As well as the disqualification, Sullivan was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison, which was suspended for two years. Middleton was handed a 14-week prison sentence, suspended for two years. 

The court heard how an 18-month-old Piebald Cob filly called Sassy and a three-year-old Bay Welsh Arab gelding called Apollo were left in paddocks in a very poor state, with one suffering from a parasitic infection. Sullivan failed to get vet treatment for them and the health of the equines deteriorated.

On October 25 last year RSPCA Inspector Rebecca Carter went to a field off Brooks Lane in Bognor, where she met a field officer from the World Horse Welfare charity. Sassy had been found in a stable and she appeared gravely unwell. She was emaciated and was suffering from a tail wound which was infested with maggots.

Apollo, who was in another stable, had swollen legs and was unable to stand. His spine, ribs and hip bones were all visible.

Sassy, pictured alive, was emaciated and suffering from a tail wound which was infested with maggots (Image: RSPCA) Sassy’s owner told the inspector that she found the pony lying down in a field four days previously, but she was unable to get medical help as her regular vet was away on holiday and other equine vets that she tried calling did not come out because she had “no money to pay up front and had failed credit checks”.

It was said that Sullivan’s daughter left Apollo in the care of her mother and that she was unaware of any problems with her horse.

There were two other equines in another paddock, a Welsh mare and a foal, who were in reasonable body condition. All four equines were signed over to World Horse Welfare.

Sassy died during the time the charity officers were at the paddocks and despite receiving intensive treatment, Apollo died three weeks later at a veterinary hospital.

A post-mortem showed that Sassy was emaciated, weighing only 83kg, and had a heavy parasite infection in her gastrointestinal tract, which could have led to the weight loss, although a lack of food could have been a factor too.

In mitigation, the court heard Sullivan was remorseful. She had left the equines in the care of her partner, Middleton, who suffered from mental health problems, and it was said he had “tried his best, but his care for the animals was incompetent”.

The magistrates told the defendants they had “dreadfully mistreated” the equines, but agreed to suspend their custodial sentences.

Both defendants were told to pay court costs of £350 and a victim surcharge of £154 each.