SEAN AND MAXINE MCWHINNIE HORROR IN TOTTON: BRUTAL BEATING OF SIX-MONTH-OLD FOAL SHOCKS COMMUNITY
| Red Rose Database
Totton Animal Abuser
In a disturbing case that has shocked the residents of Totton and the surrounding areas, Sean and Maxine McWhinnie have been found guilty of heinous animal cruelty involving a young foal named Faith. The incident, which took place in November 2021, revealed a prolonged and vicious attack carried out by Sean McWhinnie on his sister Maxine’s foal, while she and another woman watched without intervening.
Sean McWhinnie, born on August 16, 1980, and previously residing at Jackie Wigg Gardens in Totton, was caught on CCTV subjecting the defenseless six-month-old foal to a brutal 90-minute beating. The footage showed him punching Faith in the face, causing her to spin around, and repeatedly hitting her with a rope halter. The attack was so severe that the foal, which had just been weaned and had no prior human interaction, was left visibly terrified and distressed. Despite witnessing the assault, Maxine McWhinnie sat outside the stable with another woman, appearing unconcerned and making no effort to stop her brother’s actions.
The RSPCA, alerted by yard staff who observed the CCTV footage, prosecuted the case. Hazel Stephens, representing the charity, described the incident as “particularly shocking,” emphasizing that Faith had suffered unnecessary pain and suffering through deliberate abuse. She detailed how Sean McWhinnie’s actions included chasing the frightened foal and causing her to rear and fall backwards, further traumatizing her. The charity’s investigation revealed that Faith was being cared for by someone with “zero understanding and empathy of her needs,” which compounded her distress.
During police interviews, McWhinnie appeared unable to recognize the wrongdoing, even asking the officer, “Have you ever broken a wild foal?” This response underscored his apparent lack of remorse. The injured foal was subsequently removed from the scene and taken to a rescue centre in Somerset operated by World Horse Welfare (WHW). Penny Baker, a field officer for WHW, described Faith’s condition upon arrival as “very distressed.” Baker recounted that when she approached the stable, Faith reacted defensively, putting her ears back, turning her hindquarters, and attempting to kick in fear—a clear sign of her trauma.
In court, McWhinnie’s defense argued that he suffered from autism, ADHD, and possible fetal alcohol syndrome, which they claimed contributed to his behavior. His legal team highlighted his background as a traveller with links to Larkhall in Scotland and described his difficult life experiences, including being placed in boarding school at age 13 due to his additional needs. The defense also suggested that McWhinnie’s understanding of animal care was limited by his circumstances and difficulties.
Sean McWhinnie, a career criminal with a history of violent offenses, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal. He had previously admitted to multiple charges, including breaching a suspended sentence, causing alarm and distress intentionally, burglary, making off without payment, aggravated vehicle taking without consent, and possession of class B drugs. The court sentenced him to five months in prison, suspended for 21 months, along with 200 hours of unpaid work. Additionally, he received a lifetime ban on keeping all animals, although he can apply to have this lifted after 10 years.
Maxine McWhinnie, who was charged with permitting the beating, voluntarily agreed to a 10-year ban on keeping equines. The judge, Judge Forster, described the case as “truly shocking,” emphasizing that the animal was subjected to “unnecessary assault” and that the cruelty was condemned by all right-thinking individuals. The judge acknowledged the severity of the offense, citing a report from veterinarian Dr. Green, who detailed how Faith was repeatedly hit, wrestled, and terrorized within her stable.
Despite recognizing the seriousness of the crime, Judge Forster suspended the prison sentence, citing McWhinnie’s “difficulties in life” and mental health challenges as factors influencing his behavior. After the sentencing, Penny Baker from WHW expressed disappointment, stating, “We welcome the lifetime ban on keeping all animals, but we are very disappointed that the prison term for this abhorrent offense was suspended because, in our opinion, this very young foal suffered terribly at the hands of Sean McWhinnie and the deliberate attack that he subjected her to. I feel – I’m sure along with the rest of this nation’s animal lovers – that this was worthy of a prison term with immediate effect.”
This case has sparked widespread outrage within the community and among animal welfare advocates, highlighting the ongoing issues of animal cruelty and the importance of strict enforcement of animal protection laws in Totton and beyond.
Sean McWhinnie, born on August 16, 1980, and previously residing at Jackie Wigg Gardens in Totton, was caught on CCTV subjecting the defenseless six-month-old foal to a brutal 90-minute beating. The footage showed him punching Faith in the face, causing her to spin around, and repeatedly hitting her with a rope halter. The attack was so severe that the foal, which had just been weaned and had no prior human interaction, was left visibly terrified and distressed. Despite witnessing the assault, Maxine McWhinnie sat outside the stable with another woman, appearing unconcerned and making no effort to stop her brother’s actions.
The RSPCA, alerted by yard staff who observed the CCTV footage, prosecuted the case. Hazel Stephens, representing the charity, described the incident as “particularly shocking,” emphasizing that Faith had suffered unnecessary pain and suffering through deliberate abuse. She detailed how Sean McWhinnie’s actions included chasing the frightened foal and causing her to rear and fall backwards, further traumatizing her. The charity’s investigation revealed that Faith was being cared for by someone with “zero understanding and empathy of her needs,” which compounded her distress.
During police interviews, McWhinnie appeared unable to recognize the wrongdoing, even asking the officer, “Have you ever broken a wild foal?” This response underscored his apparent lack of remorse. The injured foal was subsequently removed from the scene and taken to a rescue centre in Somerset operated by World Horse Welfare (WHW). Penny Baker, a field officer for WHW, described Faith’s condition upon arrival as “very distressed.” Baker recounted that when she approached the stable, Faith reacted defensively, putting her ears back, turning her hindquarters, and attempting to kick in fear—a clear sign of her trauma.
In court, McWhinnie’s defense argued that he suffered from autism, ADHD, and possible fetal alcohol syndrome, which they claimed contributed to his behavior. His legal team highlighted his background as a traveller with links to Larkhall in Scotland and described his difficult life experiences, including being placed in boarding school at age 13 due to his additional needs. The defense also suggested that McWhinnie’s understanding of animal care was limited by his circumstances and difficulties.
Sean McWhinnie, a career criminal with a history of violent offenses, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal. He had previously admitted to multiple charges, including breaching a suspended sentence, causing alarm and distress intentionally, burglary, making off without payment, aggravated vehicle taking without consent, and possession of class B drugs. The court sentenced him to five months in prison, suspended for 21 months, along with 200 hours of unpaid work. Additionally, he received a lifetime ban on keeping all animals, although he can apply to have this lifted after 10 years.
Maxine McWhinnie, who was charged with permitting the beating, voluntarily agreed to a 10-year ban on keeping equines. The judge, Judge Forster, described the case as “truly shocking,” emphasizing that the animal was subjected to “unnecessary assault” and that the cruelty was condemned by all right-thinking individuals. The judge acknowledged the severity of the offense, citing a report from veterinarian Dr. Green, who detailed how Faith was repeatedly hit, wrestled, and terrorized within her stable.
Despite recognizing the seriousness of the crime, Judge Forster suspended the prison sentence, citing McWhinnie’s “difficulties in life” and mental health challenges as factors influencing his behavior. After the sentencing, Penny Baker from WHW expressed disappointment, stating, “We welcome the lifetime ban on keeping all animals, but we are very disappointed that the prison term for this abhorrent offense was suspended because, in our opinion, this very young foal suffered terribly at the hands of Sean McWhinnie and the deliberate attack that he subjected her to. I feel – I’m sure along with the rest of this nation’s animal lovers – that this was worthy of a prison term with immediate effect.”
This case has sparked widespread outrage within the community and among animal welfare advocates, highlighting the ongoing issues of animal cruelty and the importance of strict enforcement of animal protection laws in Totton and beyond.