[1] It was the location of a significant animal cruelty case in 2008 where dozens of horses were neglected, some being left to starve to death.
[2] The incident was described as "the worst case ever experienced by the RSPCA" by the judge at the resulting court trial.
[8][9][10] [11] [12] In June 2009, the owner of the farm, horse trader James John Gray (Jamie Gray) was sentenced to six months imprisonment, fined £400,000 and banned from keeping horses for life, the maximum penalty available to the court for the nine cases of causing unnecessary suffering to animals and two charges of failing to protect animals from pain, injury, suffering and disease.
His wife, Julie, and 2 young daughters Jodie and Cordelia were also found guilty of two counts of failing to protect the animals, all being sentenced to 10-year bans on keeping horses and community service.
[5] James Gray absconded court while awaiting sentencing on 12 May 2010 and went on the run, with a warrant issued for his arrest.