RICHARD BROOKS AND TRACEY JARVIS FROM RATBY FACE COURT OVER ANIMAL NEGLECT AND REGISTRATION BREACHES

In a case that has drawn significant attention from local authorities and animal welfare advocates, Richard Brooks and Tracey Jarvis, both residents of Ratby, have been brought before the court to answer charges related to animal neglect and violations of livestock registration laws. The incident revolves around the illegal keeping of cattle at Holywell Farm on Desford Lane, despite a longstanding ban imposed on Brooks.

Richard Brooks, born around 1962, previously faced a conviction in 2007 for causing unnecessary suffering to an animal. The court records indicate that he was disqualified from caring for large farm animals following an incident where one of his cows was left stranded in deep mud for several days. The animal was rescued but ultimately had to be euthanized due to its injuries. Despite this, Brooks was found to have kept three cows at his property in Ratby, breaching the court order and animal welfare laws.

Tracey Jarvis, born circa 1960, owns the three cows—named Tufty, Buttercup, and Brian—and has admitted to multiple breaches of animal registration regulations. She failed to notify authorities about her ownership and care of the cattle, which is a legal requirement for anyone keeping livestock. The animals are currently in her care at a different farm located in Dadlington, just north of Hinckley.

The prosecution, led by Kevin Barry representing Leicestershire Trading Standards, outlined that Brooks was fully aware of his disqualification from keeping cattle, having repeatedly attempted to have the ban lifted since October 2016. Mr. Barry emphasized that Brooks could not have been unaware of his legal restrictions, especially given his active efforts to overturn the ban. Evidence presented showed that after Jarvis purchased Tufty in November 2015, she failed to inform the authorities that she was using Holywell Farm to keep cattle. Further violations occurred when she did not report the birth of two calves, Brian in May 2017 through artificial insemination, and Buttercup in May 2018, within the required 28-day period.

Kevin Barry explained the importance of proper registration, stating, “The authorities have to be aware where cows are being kept. It’s an offence for a keeper of cattle not to register the keeping of cattle on a holding. It’s also an offence to fail to register the birth of a calf.”

Representing Jarvis, solicitor Kevin McCole described her as a former school administrator with no prior experience in farming. He explained that her attachment to the cows was genuine, describing them as her pets. McCole stated, “She loved the look of it and it was acquired as a pet. Those three cows are loved by Tracey Jarvis and are her pets. She would hope that because of the attachment she has to those cows that she can continue looking after them.”

He also acknowledged her naivety in attempting to complete the registration process, suggesting that her lack of knowledge contributed to the oversight. The court was told that Jarvis had made efforts to comply but failed to do so properly due to her inexperience.

After considering the evidence, Margaret Edun-Fotwe, the presiding chairman of the bench, described the offences as “very serious.”

Richard Brooks was fined £270, ordered to pay £3,300 in costs, and a £21 victim surcharge. Tracey Jarvis received a fine of £311, along with £2,000 in costs and a £15 victim surcharge. The court set a deadline of 28 days for both to settle the total amount of £5,917, reflecting the gravity of their breaches and the importance of animal welfare and legal compliance in livestock management.