WILLIE THORNTON OF KIDDERMINSTER SHAMES HORSE IN SHROPSHIRE - RSPCA INVESTIGATION REVEALS HORRIFIC NEGLECT

William Thornton, also known by aliases such as Dennis Thornton and Hugh McGinley, was born in June 1998 and resides at 69 Upton Road, Kidderminster, with known links to Shrewsbury. His case has drawn significant attention following the tragic neglect of a pregnant mare named Gypsy Speedy, which ultimately led to her suffering and death.

Thornton, a self-employed driveway contractor and Irish traveller, was found to have failed in his duty of care towards the horse, resulting in her becoming severely undernourished and in a state of neglect. His actions, or lack thereof, led to the mare losing her foal and, eventually, her life. As a consequence of his neglect, Thornton was disqualified from owning horses, a legal restriction imposed due to his failure to provide proper care.

The case was brought to light after a visit from RSPCA inspector Suzi Smith to a travellers' site located on Timber Lane in Stourport. The inspection was prompted by reports concerning the welfare of horses kept at the site. On December 9, 2022, inspector Smith arrived to assess the condition of Gypsy Speedy, who was visibly underweight and suffering from neglect. She left an advice notice, urging Thornton to improve the mare’s diet by providing more forage and ensuring that a farrier attended to her hooves.

However, when inspector Smith returned on January 18, 2023, she found no evidence that any improvements had been made. The mare’s condition had worsened significantly. In her witness statement, inspector Smith described Gypsy Speedy as being in a dire state: “The pregnant bay mare was visibly severely underweight. She had deteriorated a lot in the five and a half weeks, with her spine, pelvis, and the shelf above her ribs being exposed despite a thick winter coat.”

She further noted that the available grazing was insufficient and that no additional forage had been provided. Recognizing the severity of the situation, inspector Smith called in a specialist equine veterinarian to examine Gypsy Speedy. The vet confirmed that the mare was suffering unnecessarily due to her poor body condition and lack of proper nutrition.

West Mercia Police intervened and took custody of Gypsy Speedy, placing her into the care of the RSPCA. The veterinarian’s assessment revealed that her body condition score was just one out of five, indicating extreme malnutrition. The vet stated, “The body condition score of the animal was unacceptably low and the animal was being caused unnecessary suffering.” They attributed her poor health to malnutrition, starvation, and inadequate parasite control.

Despite efforts by veterinary and RSPCA teams, Gypsy Speedy’s health continued to decline. She eventually lost her foal, despite the best efforts to save her. Her condition worsened to the point where veterinarians made the difficult decision to euthanize her to prevent further suffering.

Willie Thornton faced legal consequences for his neglect. At Kidderminster Magistrates Court on Monday, November 6, 2023, he pleaded guilty to two offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. His sentence included a community order requiring 120 hours of unpaid work over 12 months, along with costs of £400. Additionally, Thornton was banned from owning horses for six years, a restriction that will remain in effect until November 2029.

This case highlights the importance of responsible animal ownership and the devastating consequences of neglect. It also underscores the vital role played by the RSPCA and law enforcement in protecting vulnerable animals from suffering due to owner negligence.