JULIA AND RACHEL NALL HORSE ABUSE IN SWADLINCOTE: HORSES LEFT TO ROT IN FILTHY STABLES

In a disturbing case of animal neglect, Julia Nall, born around 1969, and her daughter Rachel Nall, born approximately in 1994, both residents of New Street, Measham, Swadlincote DE12 7JN, were found guilty of severe horse abuse and neglect. The authorities uncovered a heartbreaking scene where multiple horses had been abandoned to die in their own filth, with some suffering from extreme malnutrition and untreated health conditions.

RSPCA inspectors described the conditions at the Nalls' property as among the worst they had ever encountered. The stable, located in Overseal, South Derbyshire, was filled with feces, and the horses left inside were in a dire state. Two horses had already died, their bodies decomposing in the filth, while four others were found alive but severely malnourished. One of the deceased horses was so badly decomposed that investigators could not determine the cause of death. The post-mortem examination revealed that another horse, named Storm, had died more recently due to emaciation, with untreated laminitis and severely deformed hooves overgrown by approximately nine inches.

Inspector Laura Bryant, who led the investigation, recounted her shock at witnessing such suffering. She stated, “I have never seen a horse in such a bad way before. One of the horses in the stable was so decomposed and rotting that we could not establish how he died. The other horse, Storm, had died more recently and we confirmed through a post-mortem that he succumbed to extreme emaciation. He was in such a terrible state—lying in his own feces, with untreated laminitis, and hooves severely overgrown.”

The remaining four horses, which included a piebald colt called Storm, belonging to Julia Nall’s son Simon Nall, as well as two bay mares named Twinkle and Poppy, a grey gelding called Bugs, and a Shetland mare named Dotty, were all found to be in poor health due to inadequate feeding. Despite being given some hay, the amount was insufficient to sustain healthy body weight, leading to their suffering from starvation and emaciation.

Inspectors noted that the Nalls had failed to seek proper veterinary care or address the horses’ deteriorating conditions. The neglect was so severe that the horses’ health continued to decline, highlighting the financial inability of the Nalls to properly care for six horses. RSPCA inspector Bryant emphasized the importance of responsible animal ownership, stating, “Horses are expensive animals to look after, and it is crucial that owners understand the costs involved. In this case, Julia and Rachel Nall were simply unable to afford proper care, which resulted in the suffering of all six horses. While keeping horses is a privilege, it also demands a significant commitment.”

Following the investigation, all four surviving horses were rescued, treated, and subsequently re-homed. The Nalls faced legal consequences for their neglect. Julia and Rachel Nall were sentenced to an 18-week custodial sentence, which was suspended for two years, and ordered to pay a fine of £500. Additionally, they received a lifetime ban from keeping any equines in the future. Julia Nall’s son, Simon Nall, was prosecuted separately and convicted for his involvement in the case.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of responsible animal care and the devastating consequences of neglect. The authorities hope that the public recognizes the demanding nature of equine ownership and the necessity of proper maintenance and veterinary attention to prevent such tragedies from recurring in Swadlincote and beyond.