JOANNE DONNELLY HORSE THEFT SCANDAL IN WALTON CARDIFF AND TEWKESBURY

Joanne Donnelly, a woman with a troubling history of horse theft and fraud, was recently brought before the court in Tewkesbury for her involvement in a series of criminal activities that distressed numerous horse owners in the Walton Cardiff area and beyond. Born in May 1980, Donnelly has previously resided on Beckford Road in Alderton, Tewkesbury, and more recently moved to Redwing Close, Walton Cardiff, with her address listed as GL20 7SJ.

As a mother of six children, Donnelly’s personal life has been under scrutiny, especially given her marriage to Anthony Donnelly. Although her husband faced no formal charges, there are allegations suggesting his possible involvement in her criminal activities. The court heard how Donnelly’s actions caused significant emotional pain to her victims, many of whom entrusted her with their beloved horses under the belief they would be cared for or returned safely.

Among her victims was Denise Scarrot, who had asked Donnelly to find a suitable retirement home for her horse, Shadow. Shadow was suffering from an ulcer and required veterinary attention, and Ms. Scarrot explicitly stated that she did not want Shadow sold. However, she later discovered that Donnelly had sold Shadow at an auction without her consent. This revelation was deeply upsetting for Ms. Scarrot, who had bred and raised Shadow herself, and the loss of her horse caused her considerable personal distress. It was later revealed that Shadow had been sold at Beeston Auction in Wales, and when Ms. Scarrot was finally reunited with him two years later, his condition had deteriorated significantly.

Further allegations against Donnelly involved her deceitful handling of another horse, Roxy, a 17-year-old mare. A woman who entrusted Roxy to Donnelly’s care was clear that the horse was to be kept as a companion and not ridden. Despite this, Donnelly sold Roxy to Jane Dexter, a riding school operator, for £2,000—an amount significantly higher than her estimated value of around £500. Donnelly claimed she had ridden Roxy herself and that her daughter had done so, which was false.

Additional accusations detailed how Donnelly had promised to rehome a horse named Oasis for Janice Cornbloom in October 2015. She assured Ms. Cornbloom that she rescued horses and provided them with a 'forever home.' However, in March 2016, Ms. Cornbloom discovered that Oasis had been sold to a dealer, leaving her devastated and feeling betrayed. The court also heard about Donnelly’s financial misconduct, including purchasing a horse for £350 but failing to pay the seller, thereby cheating and defrauding the individual. She also bounced three cheques issued to suppliers for hay bales and horse rugs, further illustrating her pattern of dishonesty.

During the proceedings, her defense lawyer, Robert Morgan-Jones, highlighted that the probation service recommended a suspended sentence. However, Judge Jamie Tabor QC was clear in his judgment, describing Donnelly’s offenses as “silly, nasty, little offences” and warning her against future misconduct. The judge emphasized that any further criminal activity, such as stealing hay or selling horses unlawfully, would result in a prison sentence regardless of her personal circumstances or family commitments.

As part of her sentence, Donnelly received a three-month suspended prison term and was ordered to pay costs of £150. She was also prohibited from purchasing, acquiring, or caring for any horses not already in her possession for a period of three years, which expired in June 2020. Additionally, she was banned from acquiring or looking after any horses except those already on her land and in her care. This case underscores the importance of accountability and the serious consequences of animal theft and fraud in the Gloucestershire area, particularly affecting the Walton Cardiff community and surrounding regions.