A HORSE rustler has admitted being responsible for the 'heartbreaking' theft of two ponies which had earlier been taken from him and placed into the care of a respected north Cumbria charity.

Sixty-year-old Thomas Price appeared at Carlisle Crown Court on Monday morning.

Price admitted stealing two horses from the Oak Tree Animals' Charity centre near Wetheral, Carlisle, between August 11 and 14 this year.

He also pleaded guilty to flouting a criminal behaviour order (CBO) which had previously been imposed by magistrates in Wales. Court papers show that Price did this, on August 13, by transporting horses without reasonable excuse, while travelling on the M42 in the Midlands behind the wheel of a vehicle towing a trailer.

In a post on Facebook after the theft, Oak Tree Animals’ Charity launched an impassioned public appeal for information leading to the animals’ safe return, advising people to “please make these ponies too hot to handle”.

A charity spokesman had said on August 13: “Early this morning, we have had two coloured cobs stolen from us at Oak Tree. This is heartbreaking. They are much loved and the equine staff work with them every day.

"We have reason to believe these cobs have been specifically targeted.”

After the horses were found, the charity posted an update which stated that the two animals were on their “way home” and “happily munching away in the trailer”.

A spokesman added:  “We must give a HUGE shoutout to the West Midlands equine community for assisting with the recovery of the ponies — and pony-sitting for the afternoon; the vigilant police forces who worked together and stopped the vehicle; and YOU for all those shares, getting the information out speedily, and enabling us to find the ponies and bring them home.

"We thank you.”

A Cumbria Police rural crime team spokesman had added: “The horses are both safe and well.”

Price, of Redway Road, Bonvilston, Vale of Glamorgan, is subject to a CBO which was imposed on February 16, 2023, and places a number of strict restrictions upon him.

Price remains remanded in custody and will be sentenced for the two offences on a date to be fixed.