A woman who received a 21-day prison sentence for breaching her ban on keeping horses has lost her appeal. Delia Stacey, of Tidmarsh, Reading, had her appeal against her conviction dismissed by Judge Inman at Guildford Crown Court on 10 July.
But a clerical error meant her legal team failed to contest her 21-day jail sentence and she was granted leave to appeal. Stacey will return to Guildford Crown Court on 3 August and Judge Inman will again oversee proceedings.
RSPCA inspector Nicola Thorne gave evidence for the prosecution. She told H&H Stacey pleaded not guilty to having breached her ban in July 2006 (news, 12 April), despite being caught transporting horses without appropriate supervision.
She added that if Judge Inman dismisses Staceys latest appeal, the 21-day prison sentence should stand.
This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (19 July, ’07)