Williams to be sentenced over deaths of 16 polo ponies

A polo champ has entered his a plea over animal welfare charges regarding 16 polo ponies found dead after a trip across Bass Strait on the Spirit of Tasmania.

A FORMER Australian polo captain, who on Thursday pleaded guilty to animal welfare charges stemming from a tragic trip across Bass Strait during which 16 ponies died, will be sentenced later this month.

It is now more than four years since the ponies were found dead inside a trailer after Andrew Williams arrived on the mainland on his return from a polo tournament in Tasmania.

FAndrew Williams playing polo.

In the Burnie Magistrates Court, Williams pleaded guilty to using a transport method reasonably likely to result in unreasonable and unjustifiable pain and suffering and 16 counts of failing to ensure the horses were individually stalled.

Spirit of Tasmania ferry operator TT-Line is also facing charges over the incident in January, 2018 and has already entered a plea of not guilty.

Andrew Williams was taking the ponies back to New South Wales following a polo event at Barnbougle in Tasmania’s north.

When he arrived at Yarra Glen, Victoria, Mr Williams opened the trailer to find 16 dead ponies and two fighting for their lives.

He will return to court for sentence on July 20.