RIDER IN COURT
Primary school teacher who ‘punched and kicked’ horse faces court for causing ‘unnecessary suffering’
A SHAMED primary school teacher who was sacked after being filmed kicking and slapping a horse is being prosecuted by the RSPCA over alleged animal cruelty.
Sarah Moulds is due to appear in court next week to face two offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
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Footage of the horsewoman lashing out went viral and sparked outrage nationally and globally.
The mum-of-two, 37, who is well known in local equestrian circles, is being prosecuted by the animal welfare charity but not the police or Crown Prosecution Service.
Her first hearing is scheduled on January 31 at Boston Magistrates’ Court.
The two offences are in connection with an incident following a Cottesmore Hunt meet on November 6 last year in countryside known as “The Drift” in Gunby, Lincolnshire.
Mrs Moulds has been charged with causing unnecessary suffering to a grey pony called Bruce by kicking and hitting it.
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She faces a second charge of failing to take reasonable steps to protect the pony from pain, suffering or injury.
Mrs Moulds lives with her plumber husband Daniel and children in the village of Somerby, Leicestershire, where she had worked as a teacher.
But she lost her job last month after being suspended following the outrage.
Speaking on the decision to sack the popular teacher, Mowbray Education Trust Chief Operating Officer Paul Maddox said: "I can confirm that Sarah Moulds' employment with the Trust has been terminated.
"As a Trust we are committed to ensuring the best standard of education for all of our young people and we look forward to continuing this throughout the 2021/22 academic year and beyond."
However, some social media users criticised the decision with one saying the incident was "unrelated to teaching."
Mrs Moulds was also a director of the Knossington and Somerby Pre-School before being axed.
It is understood she also lost her role with the local Pony Club branch.
After anti-hunt saboteurs released the clip she received death threats and was forced into hiding with her family.
At the time the RSPCA said it would “look into complaints made about animal welfare.”
A spokesperson said: "We understand there is a lot of interest in this incident and we would like to reassure people we will always look into complaints made about animal welfare.
“However, we are unable to discuss complaints about specific people and what action may have been taken.
“We understand how frustrating that is for animal lovers but releasing information could prejudice a future prosecution."
DISTURBING FOOTAGE
In the footage, a white horse trots away from the back of a trailer before it is stopped by a young rider.
A woman dressed in cream breeches and a navy jacket then grabs the reins of the animal before kicking its body and slapping it repeatedly as it tries to pull away.
The Hertfordshire Hunt Saboteurs, who say they use "non-violent direct action to save wildlife,” shared the video on its Twitter page and tagged the RSPCA.
The group said that the incident took place on November 6 after a Cottesmore Hunt, one of the oldest hunts in Britain, and the incident demonstrated "violence running through their veins."
The Hunt said it did not condone the actions shown in the video "under any circumstances,” adding: “We will be reminding all of our supporters that this will not be tolerated."
Mrs Moulds' uncle David Kirkham from Bonsall, Derbyshire, previously insisted: “She is a very upright person, a fantastic person who absolutely loves her horses."
He said: "I've seen the video but we don't know what the horse had been doing and if it was out of control. But we know it ran out onto the road and she told it off.
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"She was reprimanding the horse. There was no malice intended. She is very well thought of and respected."
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