Horse breeder jailed for forgery

INVERNESS, Scotland, Aug. 20 (UPI) -- A Scottish horse breeder has been sentenced to a year in jail for forging documents in a lawsuit by a woman who claimed she was sold a dangerous pony.

Natalie Whittington-Davies admitted forgery and perverting the course of justice during a hearing in Inverness Sheriff Court, The Scotsman reported. She wept when she heard the sentence.

Whittington-Davies was sued by Sally Murray, who paid almost $4,000 for a pony for her daughter. Depute fiscal Ron Phillips told the court that Murray the pony was a "schoolmaster," an animal safe for a young novice.

The pony, Pepsi, turned out to be "too excitable." When Murray returned it, Whittington-Davies refused to return the money.

Phillips said that Whittington-Davies forged a letter from Murray claiming to be happy with the pony and a "horse passport," the equine equivalent of a car registration, The Scotsman reported.

"The facts of this case show Natalie Whittington-Davies is a thoroughly irreputable and dishonest individual who has no respect for the court and appears to have little or no concerns to the risks attached to young people riding horses," Phillips said.