A mother has destroyed a 'cowardly' hit and Run driver who rammed his uninsured van into a horse that was led by her daughter before driving away to a nearby pub.
Polly Smith, 39, said she was confronted with 'the worst nightmare of every mother' when she heard a shout from her daughter Ellie, 13, just after she left with her pony Ora.
Forbidden director Chris Rogers, 61, hit the horse – which was driven by their eight -year -old neighbor Grace – with his Ford Transit bus and thrown away from the stage in Higher Trewen, Cornwall on January 12.
Grace was taken to the hospital by the air ambulance, but later fired with cuts and bruises. ORA – A 17 -year -old British RidingNony – took the full impact of the crash and had to be put down on the spot.
Mother-of-four Polly said: 'It was just an ordinary day. Ellie had just left the horse with Grace riding and I heard her scream “Mama”.
'I ran around the corner and I just saw Ora's leg hanging and a van that drove onto the road.
'I didn't know what to do, I had never seen anything like that, there was blood everywhere and I just became numb. I didn't know where to be or who to help.
'Suddenly there were police everywhere, but we had to wait an hour and a quarter before the vet could finally come here.
Grace was taken to the hospital by the air ambulance, but later fired with cuts and bruises. ORA – A 17 -year -old British RidingNony – took the full impact of the crash and had to be put down on the spot
Mother-of-four Polly (photo) said: 'It was just a normal day. Ellie had just left the horse with Grace riding and I heard her scream “mum”
'Ora was just so quiet there, Ellie just cried and hugged her, but as soon as I saw the leg, I knew there was nothing that we could do.
“I feel guilty and says it, but she saved their lives by giving hers. When he hit her, she fell down and that is what Grace fly away. '
The police launched a manhunt after the local population in the Rising Sun Inn reportedly reported suspect damage to Rogers' van, which was later found by the police hidden in a shed.
Against Bodmin Magistrates' Court earlier this month, Rogers argued guilty of driving without the necessary care and attention, although disqualified and without insurance.
His lawyer Chris Nicholls told JPS that his client is a 'horse lover' who understands 'the tragedy and loss of this beautiful animal'.
He added: 'He is quite a sad person who lives from universal credit. He himself is a horse lover and can feel the loss that this family has suffered. '
Magistrates have released Rogers on unconditional bail, but with an interim driving ban until he is convicted on 13 March.
Boss of scaffolding company Polly says that her other horse Bruce has also been left behind due to the loss of his companion.
Polly said: 'Ellie was only two when we got ORA, she drove her whole life and she spent hours with her here, she was her best friend and she just misses her so bad'
She chose not to be in court when Rogers argued guilty because she could not turn to see him, but planning to face him in his conviction.
She said: 'He is just a coward who only thought of himself because he knows he shouldn't have driven.
“He told the court that his family has horses and he is an animal lover.
'I think a prison sentence will be suitable, he should not have been on the way and what he did could have been so much worse.
'I am angry because he has taken years of journeys and has taken love from her.
'Ellie was only two when we got ORA, she drove all her life and she spent hours with her here, she was her best friend and she just misses her so bad.
“She held her shoes and a bridle in a sanctuary in her bedroom with some photos and a candle.”
