Rothwell woman banned from having horses fined for reoffending

Tia, a Grey Mare, was found "in an emaciated condition" and had to be put to sleep, police said

A woman who was banned from keeping horses, after two of her animals had to be put down, has been fined for breaching the order.

Kelly Hoyle, from Rothwell, in Northamptonshire, received a suspended sentence and a ban after admitting animal welfare offences last year.

Police then discovered that she had sold two animals in January.

She was fined a total of £253 by magistrates, who also extended her suspended sentence.

Hoyle, 43, was prosecuted last year by the RSPCA for causing unnecessary suffering to a young stallion and failing to meet the welfare needs of a mare.

Both animals were assessed by a vet and had to be put to sleep.

Reuben, a young stallion, was found in Naseby with no proper food, in poor condition and with a severe infection

Hoyle admitted both offences and was given a 23-week suspended prison sentence and banned from owning, keeping, helping to care for and dealing in horses for five years.

Northamptonshire Police said the RSPCA received a report in February that Hoyle, of Glendon Road in Rothwell, had been seen riding a horse in nearby Desborough.

The report was passed to the police who investigated and discovered that she had sold two horses in January,

Hoyle appeared before Northampton Magistrates on 28 March and admitted breaching a disqualification imposed under the Animal Welfare Act.

Kelly Hoyle was sentenced at Northampton Magistrates Court

Magistrates added six months to her suspended prison sentence, extending it to one year and six months.

They also ordered her to pay a fine of £120, costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £48.

PC Chloe Gillies of Northamptonshire Police's Rural Crime Team said: "Kelly Hoyle's previous failures meant she had forfeited the right to spend time with horses, but she still somehow felt it was OK to go out riding and be involved in selling them.

"There are consequences for failing to meet the needs of an animal and causing it to suffer, and I hope this time Hoyle recognises the seriousness of her situation and abides by the terms of her ban otherwise, as the judge warned her, she risks ending up in prison."