Man who threatened to kill racehorse sentenced

A Rochdale man who threatened to kill a race horse has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Andrew Rodgerson of Craiglands was sentenced at Bury Magistrates Court to 34 weeks in prison suspended for two years and ordered to carry out 240 hours unpaid work.

In July 2009, Rodgerson sent a text message to the owner of the racehorse, Conduit, threatening to kill the horse if it ran in the King George and Queen Elizabeth stakes at Ascot (on 25 July 2009).

Police were called and an investigation was launched. Rodgerson admitted making the threats, telling police he had no intention of harming the horse but wanted it withdrawn from the race because he had become involved in a betting ring and had mixed up a number of bets.

He told police if Conduit won the races he would owe the ring £55,000 but if the horse did not run that amount would drop to £9,000.

Detective Sergeant Andrew Butterworth, of Rochdale CID, said: "Rodgerson made, what were to his victims, very real and very disturbing threats.

"He got himself into financial dire straights and thought this was his way out.

"His actions were foolish and reckless."