JULIE, EDWARD, PATRICK SMITH AND MICHAEL MORLEY CONVICTED OVER HORRIFIC ANIMAL NEGLECT AT REDBOURN FARM

In a detailed and harrowing case that has shocked the local community of Redbourn, four individuals—Julie Smith, Edward Smith, Patrick Smith, and Michael Morley—faced justice for their involvement in severe animal neglect at White House Farm, situated on Hemel Hempstead Road. The farm, a modest 17-acre property, became the focus of a lengthy investigation following disturbing findings by the RSPCA inspectors, revealing a long history of animal welfare violations.

On October 14, 2014, the RSPCA conducted a routine follow-up inspection concerning the condition of some horses' hooves. What initially appeared to be a standard check quickly escalated into a comprehensive and distressing investigation. The inspectors, along with three veterinarians, police officers, and emergency services including the fire brigade, uncovered appalling conditions that prompted immediate action. By the end of that day, three horses had been removed from the farm, three horses and one goat were euthanized due to their suffering, and at least 14 goats had their feet clipped to alleviate their pain.

In addition, twenty dogs were rescued from the premises, with four of them subsequently euthanized due to their poor health. The scene was described as a scene of neglect so severe that the conditions were deemed unfit for any living creature. Photographic evidence and video footage presented during the trial depicted horses with grossly overgrown hooves, lame and suffering, confined in squalid, muddy barns filled with broken corrugated iron, faeces, and rat infestations. The conditions were characterized as “appalling” by the presiding judge, Mellanby, who emphasized that the evidence left no room for doubt about the suffering endured by the animals.

Judge Mellanby described the farm as a “smallholding” that was clearly neglected over a long period. She pointed out that the initial visit, which started around 11 am, revealed widespread and systemic animal welfare violations. The conditions found included a large number of dogs—approximately forty—living in unlit, damp, and cold outbuildings, with photographs showing deep mud and filth that defied belief. One horse was so lame that it could barely walk and was euthanized on-site. Six horses were discovered in a barn in such dire condition that their suffering was undeniable, with some unable to lie down comfortably or move freely.

Further inspection revealed goats with severely deformed and overgrown hooves, which upon clipping, allowed them to walk normally. The judge noted that these goats were hobbling and staggering, clearly in need of urgent foot care to relieve their pain. The evidence also showed that the animals’ needs had been grossly neglected, with the farm’s environment contributing to their suffering.

During the trial, Edward Smith claimed responsibility for the horses kept in one barn and those in the field, asserting that the remaining animals belonged to Stephen Parkin, who had tragically taken his own life during the proceedings in 2016. Julie Smith stated she was unsure of the ownership of the horses, but the court found that she and her husband had control over the animal passports, and that they must have known exactly who owned which animals. The judge dismissed their written statements as untrustworthy, especially since neither Edward nor Julie provided evidence or testified at the trial.

Michael Morley, however, was the only defendant to give evidence. He openly accepted full responsibility for the care of ten dogs, acknowledging that he was trying to care for aging and sick animals without support from the Smiths. Morley’s testimony was seen as courageous, as he admitted that each dog was suffering due to neglect. His efforts to care for the animals were noted, despite the lack of assistance from his employers.

Regarding sentencing, Michael Morley received a community order requiring 150 hours of unpaid work, along with costs and charges totaling £2,060. He was also disqualified from owning or keeping any animals for two years, a ban that expired in February 2019. Edward and Julie Smith received suspended sentences of ten weeks each, which were to be served over two years, along with costs and charges amounting to £10,080 each. They were also disqualified from owning goats and horses for three years, with this ban expiring in February 2020. Patrick Smith was found not guilty of the ten charges brought against him, and the court accepted his innocence in this case.

The case has left a lasting impression on the community of Redbourn, highlighting the importance of animal welfare and the consequences of neglect. The farm’s conditions, described as “deeply disturbing” and “beyond belief,” serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing need for vigilance and enforcement to prevent such suffering from recurring.