A ROGUE horse trader has been ordered to pay more than £4,400 in fines and court costs after admitting illegally selling animals without the correct paperwork.

Of four horses sold by Philip McAteer, one had a broken pelvis and had to be destroyed within weeks, Durham Crown Court was told.

Another, sold to a riding school, could not be ridden because of behavioural problems, while two more sold to families were several years older than they had been told.

McAteer, 40, of West View Farm, Cockfield, near Bishop Auckland, pleaded guilty at a previous hearing to four counts of failing to provide a horse passport at the time of sale. He also admitted moving a horse without the necessary document.

Passing sentence, Judge Christopher Prince said: “You have made a habit of offending in relation to horses.

“One would have thought a man with as many as your convictions, you would have attracted a reputation to persuade people not to go anywhere near you when purchasing horses. Sadly that was not the case here.”

McAteer’s appearance followed an investigation by Durham County Council’s trading standards service, which had been contacted by a number of people who had bought horses from McAteer between June 2009 and March last year, but had not received a horse passport.

McAteer, who gave false descriptions of their age or conditions, had advertised the horses for sale on the Horsemart website and in Adtrader newspaper, the court was told.

Speaking after the hearing, Joanne Waller, the council’s head of environment, health and consumer protection, said: “Horse passports are extremely important documents as they include information, such as the animal’s age and any medical conditions, which enables a buyer to determine whether an animal is suitable for their needs.

“It is illegal to sell a horse without one and we would urge buyers not to do business with anyone who is unable to supply a passport or promises to provide it at a later date.”

Ms Waller said that despite having offered a money-back warranty, McAteer had refused to refund the buyers.

Andrew Baker, mitigating, said McAteer was in breach of a highly technical law, which was intended to prevent horses that had taken certain veterinary medication getting into the food chain.

McAteer had not been charged with the horses failing to meet their description, Mr Baker said. Judge Prince did not award the victims compensation, but he advised the buyers to pursue the matter through the civil courts.