A former teacher whose life was “torn to pieces” over footage of her allegedly striking a pony during a hunt broke down in tears as she was cleared of causing unnecessary suffering to the animal.

Sarah Moulds, 39, wept in the dock of Court number two at Lincoln Crown Court as the jury returned a not guilty verdict after deliberating for five hours and ten minutes.

There were cries of “yes” from supporters in the public gallery as the jury of eleven men and one woman cleared Mrs Moulds.

Recorder Graham Huston told Mrs Moulds “you are free to leave the dock,” and then addressed the jury, telling them: “I know it wasn’t an easy case.”

The mother-of-three lost her job as a teacher at her local village primary school and received death threats after images emerged of her kicking and slapping the pony in Lincolnshire, in 2021.