Maggies Law
Justice for Maggie
Tragedy of Darwen Stable Fire
In July 2008, four horses were tragically killed in a stable fire in Darwen, Lancashire. The owner of the stables where they were kept, Mary Howarth, has been left caring for 3 other horses that were rescued by emergency crews and friends.
3 of those killed were just yearlings, they hadn’t had a chance to fulfil their potential, one of the ponies killed, Goldie, was due to compete at the Royal Welsh Show, and over 10 years of breeding had been wiped out by a thoughtless act of two young lads who were just out to cause trouble.
Another pony that was killed was the 9 year old Highland pony, Billy Bunter. He was more than ‘just a pony’; he was a member of the family, and a familiar sight around the local riding clubs and equestrian events. He tried his hardest to please his rider, and the family that owned him have been left devastated by this senseless attack on defenceless animals.
For those of us who own horses, the loss of a horse, by any means, is upsetting, but to have something like this happen, the grief must be insupportable.
The thugs who have caused so much grief and suffering are due to appear in Preston Crown Court, Lancashire, on 12th November 2008, and have pleaded not guilty to all charges. As a sign of our support, and as a sign that we will not take these things lightly, representatives from the Campaign for Equine Justice will be attending to provide support for Mary and others who have been caught up in this awful tragedy. Many of the wider equestrian community as well will be in attendance....this tragedy not only affected the families directly involved, but the wider equestrian community as a whole.
I urge any of you who are in the Lancashire area and are free to attend the court case to do so, and also to look out for people wearing purple ribbons, as we are selling them to raise money to give to Mary and for the Campaign for Equine Justice.
To watch the BBC News Story click HERE
Darwen 18-year-old admits arson in which four horses died
9:12am Wednesday 18th March 2009
FOUR horses died in a blaze after two teenagers torched stables, a court heard.
Matthew Roberts, 18, pleaded guilty to his part in the fire at Sough Farm, Darwen.
But a 17-year-old Darwen youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has gone on trial at Preston Crown Court after denying two counts of arson.
Charlotte Crangle, prosecuting, said the arson attack was carried out on the evening of Monday July 14 last year.
Ms Crangle told the court the farm, which has been owned by Mary Howarth for 28 years, was home to seven horses.
Mrs Howarth kept one horse there and the other animals belonged to friends.
She said: “Mrs Howarth became aware of what was going on when she was putting a dog outside at 11.30pm.
“She was met by a neighbour informing her her stables were on fire.
"She ran up to see the middle two stable blocks were well alight.
“She and other people helping were able to get three horses from the stables.
"Tragically, four perished in the fire.”
Mary Howarth, in a police statement read to the court, described seeing her stables ablaze.
She said: “I couldn’t believe it. I knew there were ponies in there.”
Her daughter Lucy Howarth described, in her police statement which was read to the court, how she blindfolded a horse and led it to safety.
One of the victims was a Welsh pony called Lizzie, which belonged to Beverley Kay.
Laurie Duce kept her horse at the stable. She told the court that she saw the defendant “acting suspiciously” close to the stables earlier in the evening.
Police also discovered the stock room had been broken into.
They arrested the defendant in the early hours of the morning.
Horse painkillers were found in his trouser pockets along with other items from the stables.
The 17-year-old boy has admitted burglary.
Roberts, of Darwen, will be sentenced in May.
(Proceeding).