A MAN who is awaiting sentence for a seven-year reign of "control, manipulation and violence" against his partner, at their isolated gypsy caravan home, has been jailed for 18 weeks for neglecting a pony that died.

Anthony Manson was prosecuted by Monmouthshire Council for animal neglect after the “extremely thin and shivering” Skewbald pony was reported tethered without water or shelter in woodland near Tintern.

Council officers investigated the site in 2023 and encountered him with the malnourished pony.

A council spokesperson said: “Despite attempts to engage with him and assess the animal’s condition, Mr Manson obstructed officers and refused to cooperate.

“A warrant was granted for the seizure of the pony, which was carried out on October 19, 2023, in collaboration with Gwent Police.

“The land was unsuitable for keeping animals, lacked adequate shelter, access to water, and had limiting grazing areas.

“Additionally, a carcass was discovered in a state of decay, partially hidden in the woodland...

“A veterinary expert reviewed the photographic evidence and later examined the remains. Redwings, the UK’s largest horse welfare charity, also played a key role. “

Cwmbran magistrates convicted Manson under Section 9 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and jailed him for 18 weeks.

He admitted neglecting the pony at his Forge Road, Pontysaison woodland home, by failing to provide a “suitable environment and diet” which caused “pain, suffering, injury and disease”.

They also imposed an Indefinite Animal Disqualification Order, prohibiting Manson from having animals, except dogs, and ordered him to pay £13,913 in prosecution costs.

The council spokesperson added: “The suffering endured by this pony was prolonged and entirely preventable. Monmouthshire Council is committed to ensuring that individuals who fail in their duty of care are held accountable. “

Manson, who also uses aliases Antonio Angel Villafane, Tai, Ibrahim Mohammad and Ibrahim Vilafane, was convicted by a Cardiff Crown Court jury earlier this month of strangulation, coercion, wounding, assault and fraud charges after a reign of terror against his partner at their off-grid Wye Valley home.

Adjourning the case for reports, Judge Daniel Williams told him he faces "a substantial prison sentence".

BBC Wales News reported that his 64-year-old victim thought she was going to be killed, as she was dragged by the hair, had a knife pressed to her throat and told he would "chop her up and feed her to their dogs".

"No-one can hear you scream in the middle of the forest," he reportedly said.

The court also heard he tried to strangle her in June 2023 while forcing her to eat a Chinese meal, before she escaped and went to police.

Manson, who was arrested after a manhunt in the woods, before later going on the run for over a year, also hit her with a fire poker and a walking stick, punched and kicked her, and forced her to pray for forgiveness, even naked outside on a winter night.

He also tied her hands and feet and forced her head into a box filled with dirty water, the trial was told.