Thug who attacked horse jailed

A thug who repeatedly hurled a butcher's meat cleaver at a horse which later had to be put down was today sent to a young offenders' institution for five months.

Matthew Corfield, pictured, aged 19, of Higgs Road, Wednesfield, laughed as he inspected the 12-inch by five-inch blade for blood, the court was told earlier.

Co-accused Alex Lister, aged 19, of Olinthus Avenue, Wednesfield, who chased the horse and tried to film two men including Corfield, running after it, with his mobile phone, was told to carry out 180 hours of community work.

He pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal on the basis he was not aware of the meat cleaver.

Maggie, a 19-year-old mare, suffered horrific injuries following the attack at Essington Hall Farm, Essington on April 13 last year.

Corfield, who also admitted causing unnecessary suffering to an animal, had been drinking with friends including Lister earlier.

Maggie's heartbroken owner Davina Bowyer, aged 47, from Essington, told the Express & Star a major part of her life had been taken away and that she loved the horse, which she had raised for 18 years.

At Cannock Magistrates Court Lister were also ordered to pay costs.

Chairman of the bench Mirendra Raval told Corfield: "This was a nasty incident – a prolonged attack on an innocent horse."