A 24-YEAR-OLD man has been banned from owning horses after he allowed one in his care to become so ill it had to be put down.

Abraham Rossiter, of Beechwood Drive, Meopham, was given a five-year ban and ordered to carry out 18 months' community service by Maidstone magistrates on Thursday (August 27).

He had pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to his horse by failing to provide veterinary care as well as failing to exercise reasonable care and supervision in protecting the animal.

The court heard the RSPCA, police officers and a vet found the 20-month-old horse on February 20 in a stable close to a farm at Teston near Maidstone after being called by a member of the public.

Prosecutor Ellie Bryant said: “The horse was collapsed and lying on its side, making groaning and crying noises, and not attempting to move.

“The vet said the horse would have been down for at least two hours and noticeably sick for two to three days.”

Ian Reed, mitigating, said Rossiter’s uncle had been shot dead in his home a few days before February 20 and his family had received threats, so he had been too scared to go out to check on the horse.

He said: “This is not a case of wilful or deliberate neglect.”

Mr Reed said Rossiter had noticed the horse was not eating and was suffering from diarrhoea. He had asked family and friends for advice and they told him to give the horse food rich with oats.

He said: “Mr Rossiter looked for advice in the wrong place but that was down to inexperience.

“He realises now he should have contacted the RSPCA.”

Sentencing Rossiter, chairman of magistrates Lyn Jeffreys said: “You knowingly left the horse ill and suffering terrible conditions.

“We have decided to give you a reduced sentence because you pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and co-operated with the police and RSPCA.”

Rossiter was also ordered to pay costs of £200.