Over 20,000 horses may have suffered at the hands of trader held on horror farm

Jamie Gray, 44, has been dealing in horses, ponies and donkeys for at least 25 years, according to sources close to the investigation, who yesterday described the scene at his farm as an "equine Belsen".

Throughout much of that time, the RSPCA claims to have been looking at his case, concerned about the conditions of the animals destined for Continental dinner tables.

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Last night the charity was under fire for failing to act quickly enough to end the suffering of scores of creatures trapped in hellish conditions at Spindles Farm in Hyde Heath, Buckinghamshire.

Villagers told how they had alerted them to fears of neglect and cruelty four years ago and on numerous occasions since.

They recounted horror stories of seeing emaciated and ill animals in distress.

Concerned residents even put up hand-written signs saying "please feed me" on fencing surrounding the fields in the hope passers-by would respond.

Chiltern District Council yesterday admitted they had received two complaints dating back to 2002.

Yet the farm was allowed to continue to operate.

RSPCA superintendent Tim Wass said: "The owner was known to the RSPCA, and while we had concerns about his horses, conditions had been at a legally acceptable level during our last visits.

"The only option the RSPCA inspectors had then was to offer animal welfare advice to improve the situation. We did not have the legal power to remove the animals any earlier.

"Conditions had declined drastically when the RSPCA returned to the farm last week, and inspectors acted immediately, with Thames Valley Police to remove the remaining animals from the property."

Over the last few days 111 pitiful creatures have been rescued from the smallholding.

Thirty-two were found dead and three others put to sleep.

There was also a pile of carcasses dumped on top of a mound of dung to rot.

Last night more information emerged about how Gray, from a travelling family, plied his trade, buying unwanted animals for as little as £1 each before transporting them abroad for abattoirs to slaughter.

He would buy some of the creatures in car parks outside animal markets across the country.

Investigators suspect he may also have set himself up as a knacker's yard, placing advertisements in local papers offering to take away old and unwanted animals.

An insider revealed: "Every day Gray must have seen their suffering yet instead of calling out the vet, he knew if he left them long enough they would just die and he wouldn't have to pay the medical bills."

Yesterday the animals were on the long road to recovery with a collection of charities across the country.

The RSPCA is hoping it has gathered enough evidence to bring a prosecution.

Gray, meanwhile, has been charged with criminal damage and assaulting a police officer and will appear before Aylesbury magistrates on Monday.

The youngest donkey at Spindles Farm

• At just two months old, this little donkey is the youngest victim of the Spindles Farm horror. The foal was rescued with her mother and is now recovering at the Redwings Animal Sanctuary in Hapton, near Norwich.

Staff named her Esther and described her survival in such conditions as "incredible".

Yesterday she was responding well to kindness and treatment.

Spokesman Nicola Markwell said: "Esther is staying close to her mother and is obviously bewildered. But she is quite playful which is a good sign and she is now going to be well looked after."

Redwings Animal Sanctuary is taking care of eight donkeys and 13 ponies, including eight miniature Shetlands.

Miss Markwell said: "They will all be in our care until the end of any court case.

"After that, if they are signed over to us, we will find them good homes."