A man has admitted being responsible for the theft of two ponies which had earlier been taken from him and placed with a north Cumbrian charity.
Thomas Price, 60, appeared at Carlisle Crown Court this morning.
Price admitted stealing two horses from Oak Tree Animals’ Charity centre near Wetheral, between August 11 and August 14 this year.
He also pleaded guilty to flouting a criminal behaviour order which had previously been imposed by magistrates in Wales.
Court papers show that Price did this, on August 13, by transporting horses without reasonable excuse, while travelling on the M42 in the Midlands behind the wheel of a vehicle towing a trailer.
In a post on Facebook after the theft, Oak Tree Animals’ Charity launched an impassioned public appeal for information leading to the animals’ safe return.
After the horses were found, the charity posted an update which stated that the two animals were on their way home and happily munching away in the trailer.
A spokesman added: “We must give a huge shoutout to the West Midlands equine community for assisting with the recovery of the ponies — and pony-sitting for the afternoon; the vigilant police forces who worked together and stopped the vehicle; and you for all those shares, getting the information out speedily, and enabling us to find the ponies and bring them home. We thank you.”
Price, of Redway Road, Bonvilston, Vale of Glamorgan, is subject to an order which was imposed on 16th February, 2023, and places a number of strict restrictions upon him.
Price remains remanded in custody and will be sentenced for the two offences on a date to be fixed.
