Wilkinson admitted severe animal neglect in relation to a horse called Lady and ponies Tilly and Cara.
On February 26, 2025, officers from the Scottish SPCA visited the property at Stobo Hope Cottage where they came across a large number of various animals, including dogs, cats, poultry, sheep and horses. There were immediate concerns for three specific equines kept in hazardous and filthy conditions.
Two of the animals were left in a wet, muddy field completely stripped of grazing or supplementary food. The third pony was confined to a tiny, urine-soaked pen inside a shed completely devoid of clean, dry bedding or basic environmental enrichment.
Veterinary assessment revealed that all three animals were suffering from extreme emaciation, worn teeth, open skin sores, and widespread hair loss across their bodies.
On a standard health scale of 0 to 5 (where 5 is obese and 1 is emaciated), Wilkinson’s horse, Lady, registered a catastrophic Body Condition Score of 0.5. The two ponies, Tilly and Cara, both scored 1 out of 5.
The Scottish SPCA was preparing to remove the two horses and pony from her property but before that could happen Wilkinson called in a vet surgeon and the animals were euthanised.
Wilkinson admitted causing the three equines unnecessary suffering, which resulted in them being put down.
She failed to provide them with a nutritionally adequate diet, causing their bodies to be emaciated, teeth worn and they suffered skin sores at her home in Stobo, near Peebles, between December 26, 2024, and February 28, 2025.
Wilkinson’s lawyer said all the horses in his client’s care had now been removed as well as the sheep. The lawyer said she had been working as a groomer but had lost this employment and was now working as a shop assistant in Peebles.
Following the sentencing, the investigating Scottish SPCA inspector expressed deep concern over Wilkinson’s attitude throughout the legal process:”She showed a complete disregard for her animals’ welfare. She failed to meet the most basic welfare needs of her horse and ponies, causing them considerable and prolonged suffering.
“What is particularly concerning is that throughout this case, she appeared unable or unwilling to recognise the harm she had caused, showing no real understanding of the seriousness of her neglect and taking no responsibility for her actions.”
Sentenced – £750 fine. A five-year disqualification from owning, possessing, livering, or looking after horses or ponies on a commercial basis (expires July 2031).