A SEDGEBERROW stud farm boss has been convicted of 19 charges of illegally importing and distributing veterinary medicines in a £6 million scam said to be the biggest of its kind in Europe.

Management consultant Richard Jones, aged 60, of Winchcombe Road, Sedgeberrow, the founder and owner of Henry Field Stud in Naunton Beauchamp, was convicted on Tuesday.

He had pleaded not guilty at Croydon Crown Court of 19 charges of illegally importing and distributing unauthorised or prescription veterinary medicines.

He previously told the jury he had no knowledge of the illicit trade and had never bought vet medication.

His co-accused, road haulage boss Peter Lock, 53, of Essex – owner and company secretary of Colmar Farm Riding School, in Brentwood, who had also pleaded not guilty, was convicted of 15 similar charges.

Both men were bailed by a judge at Croydon Crown Court until July 4 for a three-day sentencing hearing.

They will be joined for that hearing by another seven co-defendants.

The prosecution was launched after a Defra investigation revealed the illegal trade in veterinary medicines.

The medicines concerned included anti-inflammatories, anabolic steroids, tranquillisers, antibiotics, sedatives, painkillers and other miscellaneous products administered to horses, household pets and farm animals.

They came from married couple Ronald Meddes, 72, and Regine Lansley, 61, – nicknamed ‘Ronnie and Reggie’, the bosses of French-based Eurovet.

During the hearing, Jones had claimed that his partner June Connelly, 68, who has pleaded guilty to similar charges, was responsible for buying the medicines and the welfare of the horses at the 50 horse stud.

He claimed that the illegal medicines had nothing to do with him or the stud. In his evidence he said: “June did not tell me about it, it was her business.” However, the prosecution argued that he must have been aware of the trade and the jury agreed.