Officers identified a total of 17 victims throughout the course of the investigation.

Trio colluded in the sale of sick and dangerous horses

Two horse sellers and a veterinary surgeon have been found guilty of large scale fraud after colluding to sell sick and dangerous horses to unsuspecting buyers, Kent Police have revealed.

Aniela Jurecka, 28, Charlotte Johnson, 28, and vet David Smith, 66, were found guilty of conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation at Maidstone Crown Court on Monday (13 June), after a 14-week trial. Sentencing will take place on 11 July.

The three were arrested following a large and complex operation by Kent Police, Trading Standards and the RCVS.

Jurecka and Johnson advertised horses for sale in equine publications, according to Kent Police. Text messages downloaded by detectives suggest the pair were drugging horses to cover up behavioural problems and lameness. The two sellers advised customers visit their recommended veterinary surgeon, David Smith, of Lakeview Veterinary Centre in Capel Le Ferne, who gave animals a clean bill of health. In many cases, the horses' paperwork was altered.

Police say information seized from computers at Lakeview Veterinary Centre in 2013 revealed poor record keeping by Smith, particularly when it came to the supply of Modecate, a controversial behaviour modifying sedative that masks behavioural problems in aggressive horses. Detectives found several text messages in which Jurecka had asked Smith for Modecate and Sedalin.

Officers identified a total of 17 victims throughout the course of the investigation, which launched in October 2010. In some cases, the victims had been looking to buy animals suitable for their children.

Due to the number of victims coming forward, the enquiry was large and complex.

Detective constable Tracey Brightman, who was in charge of the case, said: "These horses were obtained cheaply by the Johnson and Jurecka because they had physical problems or aggressive tendencies. We believe their issues were masked with drugs supplied by Smith when a potential buyer came to try out the horse. The dealers made huge profits on unfit, ill and injured horses working with a veterinary surgeon to ensure their lies were covered with credibility.

"What they were doing was not only fraud but also putting their customers in danger. In one instance a woman was left unable to walk for a year after being thrown from her horse. It later transpired the animal had serious back problems which made it unsuitable for the activities that Smith had passed it for.

"The criminal aspect of the case may overlook the fact that passing an injured horse as fit to ride and jump is nothing short of cruel and shows a complete disregard to the veterinary oath. Unfortunately in some cases the horses were so ill they had to be euthanized causing yet more distress to the new owners."