Driver who torched van sentenced over crash which led to horse's death

The rider was also injured after it happened around 4pm on 7 March last year.

Published 17th Aug 2023

A 24-year-old Herefordshire man whose careless driving resulted in a horse being out down has been given a suspended sentence.

Alex Cole, of Ross-on-Wye, left the scene of the crash near Newent, in the Forest of Dean, and set fire his van to try and hide his involvement.

It happened around 4pm on 7 March last year - the rider was also injured.

He pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice, careless driving and failing to stop at a crash - and was sentenced to 13 months, suspended for 18 months

The victim's mother told the court: "It's completely changed her life in that she had a potential riding career which has now ended. She's lost her best friend and she's lost her passion, so her life has changed forever."

A statement from the victim, which was read in court, said: "Emotionally I have been all over the place. Since the loss of Chunk I have days where I am in tears. I've had days where I'm happy to see pictures of him and then I just break down. Some days I'm so angry, I don't know why or what to do.

"I'm angry at the driver of the Vauxhall and I can also just be short when anything that doesn't go my way. This isn't normal for me as I normally have a happy positive outlook on life.

"I know these are likely to be the stages of grief and will likely get easier in time, but I can't help feeling this may never come back fully as Chunk was a huge part of my life and was my source of happiness."

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