Couple Richard Jones, 60, a management consultant and June Connelly, 69,(pic.top l.) both of Winchcombe Road, Sedgeberrow, Evesham, Worcestershire - bosses of Henry Field Stud, Naunton Beauchamp, Pershore - both received suspended sentences.
Jones denied, but was convicted on nineteen charges and was sentenced to six months imprisonment, suspended for two years, and was ordered to perform 200 hours community service.
Connelly admitted possession and importation of illegal medicines and was sentenced to four months, suspended for two years and ordered to perform 140 hours community service.
"You worked as a team, the jury found as much and they were right," Judge Nicholas Ainley told them.
The couple had a close friendship with Meddes and Lansley, enjoying holidays on their French estate, and bought £57,000 worth of illegal medicines.
Regarding Jones and Connolly DEFRAS’s senior investigating officer in the case, ex-cop Derrick Price said: “They both exhibited a cavalier attitude towards the welfare of horses and knew exactly what they were doing in selling illegal drugs in the Worcestershire and Warwick areas.”
Alexandra John, 51,(pic.bottom) of The Street, Capel, Dorking pleaded guilty to twenty counts and was sentenced to twelve months imprisonment, suspended for two years, and was ordered to complete 200 hours community service.
The court heard John - who had an affair with Meddes - had three roles, being involved in sales, onward supply and collecting other customers' money and traded nearly £300,000 worth of illegal medicines.
The customers she sold to included equestrian centres and hunts - for a 10% commission - and she was arrested in May 2008 after a search of her home revealed large amounts of invoices.
"You were a significant agent of Meddes," Judge Ainley told John, currently living on incapacity and housing benefit. "You do deserve to go to prison, but I take your poor health into account."
Mr. Price said: “For several years she acted as an agent throughout the Surrey and Sussex areas, selling dangerous drugs to a variety of people, including many horse owners.”
Road haulage boss Peter Lock, 54,(pic.top r.) of Knaves Hall, Warren Lane, Doddinghurst, Brentwood, Essex - owner of Colmar Farm Riding School, Colmar Farm, Weald Park Way, South Weald, Brentwood denied, but was convicted on fifteen counts.
He bought £155,000 worth of illegal drugs and was sentenced to ten months imprisonment, suspended for two years, and ordered to perform 250 hours community service by Judge Ainley who told him: "I'm sure you were acting as an agent."
Mr. Price said: “He was a prolific supplier in the Essex area and was rightly convicted after trying to blame other family members.”
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