East Grafton pet sanctuary became a hell
1:36pm Thursday 20th January 2011 in News By Nigel Kerton
Claire Strong and Paul Wilson were convicted of 13 counts of animal cruelty
A couple who turned their house into an animal sanctuary where pets should have been given a home from home allowed it to become a hellhole of death.
A court heard there were dead dogs in their kitchen and annex, a dead lizard in a vivarium in one of their bedrooms, dead pet mice in the sitting room and a dead rabbit in a hutch in their garden.
Claire Strong, 22, and Paul Wilson, 44, who operated the Wiltshire Animal Rescue and Sanctuary (WARAS) from their home in The Severalls in East Grafton, were each convicted at Salisbury Magistrates Court on Monday of 13 charges of animal cruelty, which they had denied and contested during an 11 day trial.
Strong’s best friend Shirley Oakey, who lived close by in Hungerford Road, told the court: “She said she had turned into the kind of person she had always had a grudge against...she told me she had made herself into a monster.”
Strong and Wilson both face the possibility of going to jail because each of the charges they were convicted of on Monday carries a maximum six-month prison sentence.
The pair claimed they had been lovers but had parted and were living in separate rooms when the RSPCA and police raided the house in July 2009. They employed the country’s top specialists in defending RSPCA cruelty allegations, Sussex-based Robert Weller and Co, paid for by legal aid.
Wilson, an IT worker, claimed that although he lived in the house that was rented in his name he had nothing to do with running WARAS and that it was entirely Strong’s responsibility He told the court that he went through the front door and straight up to his bedroom and was not aware of the carnage downstairs that RSPCA Inspector Will Hendry and PC Ivor Noyce. They went to the house on July 9 last year in response to calls from a neighbour who had looked in a window and seen the carcasses of dogs lying uncovered on the floor in a ground floor annex.
Mr Weller argued that the RSPCA had no rights to enter the property without being invited and said Strong, who was home at the time of their visit, had not invited them into the house.
Insp Hendry and PC Noyce, however, both testified that Strong had told them they were welcome to look around the house.
The dead animals were not the subject of any of the charges because there was no evidence that their death was the result of suffering. A video of the sights that greeted the two officers was shown to the three women magistrates.
The charges on which Wilson and Strong were convicted involved dogs, rabbits, mice and reptiles and related to their poor living conditions, bad diets, failing to protect them from pain, injury and suffering and failing to provide veterinary care.
The pair will be sentenced on February 18.
Comments(50)
stonehendge
says...
8:26pm Thu 20 Jan 11
It's Me again !
says...
9:33pm Thu 20 Jan 11
stonehendge wrote:Best you crawl back under that stone, Hendge !
i would just like to say,dont always believe what you read in papers,not always 100% right
Do not even begin to stand up for these people.
Hope they rot in hell for what they have done
FlowerPower
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1:22am Fri 21 Jan 11
Three reasons things went like they did, either a) They were plain evil, or b) one or both was mentally ill and under the influence of the other, c) they started to struggle and just didn't have the guts to admit it.
I had so hoped it was b or c, but having seen and heard the evidence (and not just whats been reported here) it has become clear that actually it was down to pure evilness.
If she felt so guilty then why lie, why not tell the truth?? Why not own up and tell what had happened? How does a perfectly healthy, fit and well wolfhound puppy just die?
I just wish you would tell us why Claire, why you betrayed so many? Why you let it happen? I guess you will never have the guts to tell us that though will you?
Mystery Mike
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8:28am Fri 21 Jan 11
goodpuss
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8:48am Fri 21 Jan 11
Hiring the country's top defender (Yes folks - this sick country actually has one!!!!) against charges of animal cruelty - ON LEGAL AID!!!!
Getting her hands on your money - that was her ONLY interest.
And to think that some over-blown, overpaid legal parasite is actually likely to get her off on the grounds that she didn't invite the RSPCA in - how ruddy sad is that?
So - you can be as cruel as you like within your own home - provided you don't invite anyone in?
Really?
And as for Stonehendge - so what was wrong with the report ? Dead animals on the floors and in cages.
What's NORMAL about that ? All killed with kindness, were they?
Or could she simply not bear to be parted from them once they'd died?!!!
shebby
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5:07pm Fri 21 Jan 11
Knowevenmore
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7:09pm Fri 21 Jan 11
MysteryMike, not a good photo no :-)
Goodpuss - She has NEVER had ANY benefit/allowance/et
c to date so you are useless at judging people from a photo
Shebby - Wrong mix basically
Davie B
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7:25pm Fri 21 Jan 11
shebby
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7:29am Sat 22 Jan 11
Knowevenmore wrote:claire knows that she done wrong,i personaly think she was too scared to ask for help.i know for a fact that plenty of people asked claire to take on more dogs etc,so im sorry,but claire isnt the only one at fault.
FlowerPower - Blagged you into fostering, that's a good thing in hindsight isn't it, der! Mentally ill? yep, at the time. Struggled and didn't ask for help? Yep! Hindsight is a wonderful thing. Fit Wolfhound pup? Don't know about that one but the one she had was sold to her cheap on the QT, and had the same illness it's sibling died from so make what you will of that. MysteryMike, not a good photo no :-) Goodpuss - She has NEVER had ANY benefit/allowance/et c to date so you are useless at judging people from a photo Shebby - Wrong mix basically
shebby
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8:05am Sat 22 Jan 11
Davie B wrote:how sick are you,to even think that,let alone say it.i knew claire personaly,and she isnt the monster that you all think she is.
..looking at her I think most of the animals went into filling pies.
claire done wrong,she admits that,but everyones a bit guilty in part for what happened
goodpuss
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9:56am Sat 22 Jan 11
Now - tell me what is normal about not only allowing so many animals to die - but to leave the carcasses lying around inside your home?!!
Inconsolable - why - because everyone now knows who shouldn't have been anywhere NEAR a pet sanctuary - let alone run one.
Let's hope there's some sort of substantial ban in relation to her being allowed to own or look after animals in the future.
shebby
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2:41pm Sat 22 Jan 11
goodpuss wrote:well let me ask you this,how many of the other rescues etc,checked to make sure everything was ok and as it should be,before placing more dogs etc with claire.its all very well ranting about claire and paul,but people was all keen and eager to place more dogs with her.things just got too much for claire in the end,and im guessing she was just too scared to ask for help,and looking like a failure.we will never know the whole truth how or why they all died,maybe if we did,people might not be so quick to condem her.people only know what they have read or heard.i actualy found the dead animals,so i know first hand how bad things was.people dont know the whole facts surrounding this case,or claires situation.claire was always being asked to help by taking more dogs on,and becuz they was desperate,she would agree.in the end,i know for a fact that claire said no to people about taking any more dogs etc on.probably becuz she knew it had all gone wrong,and she couldnt cope.i realy wish she had confided in me about how serious it had got.but its too late with the what ifs etc.i know i keep saying this,i am an animal lover,and i hate what happened to the poor animals,and claire knows my thoughts on that,but what she needs now,is help and support.
K., Rainbow - never had any benefits? What do you think legal aid is? Now - tell me what is normal about not only allowing so many animals to die - but to leave the carcasses lying around inside your home?!! Inconsolable - why - because everyone now knows who shouldn't have been anywhere NEAR a pet sanctuary - let alone run one. Let's hope there's some sort of substantial ban in relation to her being allowed to own or look after animals in the future.
what the
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2:49pm Sat 22 Jan 11
shebby
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2:58pm Sat 22 Jan 11
what the wrote:whatever,you have the rights to your opinion,but claire hardly ate ok.
hope she chokes on her next doughnut.
what the
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3:13pm Sat 22 Jan 11
shebby wrote:neither did the poor animals by the sound of it.
what the wrote: hope she chokes on her next doughnut.whatever,you have the rights to your opinion,but claire hardly ate ok.
goodpuss
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4:13pm Sat 22 Jan 11
what the wrote:what the - rocks.
shebby wrote:neither did the poor animals by the sound of it.what the wrote: hope she chokes on her next doughnut.whatever,you have the rights to your opinion,but claire hardly ate ok.
And fags are fattening. Obviously.
Knowevenmore
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7:13pm Sat 22 Jan 11
goodpuss wrote:Goodpuss - ahh bless some village is missing it's idiot!! legal aid goes to the solicitors not the defendants so she does not gain. It's called Britain.
K., Rainbow - never had any benefits? What do you think legal aid is? Now - tell me what is normal about not only allowing so many animals to die - but to leave the carcasses lying around inside your home?!! Inconsolable - why - because everyone now knows who shouldn't have been anywhere NEAR a pet sanctuary - let alone run one. Let's hope there's some sort of substantial ban in relation to her being allowed to own or look after animals in the future.
goodpuss
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10:54am Sun 23 Jan 11
Knowevenmore wrote:I can't believe you've been stupid enough....... well - looking at your previous posts - I can.
goodpuss wrote: K., Rainbow - never had any benefits? What do you think legal aid is? Now - tell me what is normal about not only allowing so many animals to die - but to leave the carcasses lying around inside your home?!! Inconsolable - why - because everyone now knows who shouldn't have been anywhere NEAR a pet sanctuary - let alone run one. Let's hope there's some sort of substantial ban in relation to her being allowed to own or look after animals in the future.Goodpuss - ahh bless some village is missing it's idiot!! legal aid goes to the solicitors not the defendants so she does not gain. It's called Britain.
You are an idiot.
Legal Aid is a BENEFIT - PAID OUT OF THE TAXES THAT WORKING PEOPLE PAY - THAT PAYS FOR LEGAL REPRESENTATION FOR THOSE WHO CANNOT AFFORD IT.
And I still object to people like her getting free legal representation - the cruel troll.
Go back to school, dolt. Or should that be - perhaps you should have attended a little more often?
Knowevenmore
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3:08pm Sun 23 Jan 11
goodpuss
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3:56pm Sun 23 Jan 11
Knowevenmore wrote:Hello again dolt.
Goodpuss - I was going by your original post 'Just look at her picture....' thereby infering any 'larger' person with a fag hanging out of her mouth has obviously been on benefits for years. Well you obviously are more acquainted with this type than I am. I went to school and I know how to spell 'grabbing' not grubbing (stet). And then to say 'getting her hands on your money was her only interest', again, if you are now saying you meant legal aid at that point, you are suggesting this turn of events came about so she could claim legal aid. Yeah right, just remind me how SHE benefits.
1)Just look at her picture - fag hanging out of her mouth in public and so overweight it's difficult to believe she's under 40.
2) Who implied she'd been on benefits for years - not me - perhaps that's YOUR guilty conscience?
3) When I wrote money-GRUBBING - I MEANT money-grubbing.
4) She has managed to get her hands on a HUGE amount of public (benefits) funds to enable her to employ THE TOP ANIMAL CRUELTY DEFENDER IN THE COUNTRY - AT NO COST TO HERSELF!!!!
5) I am suggesting that this turn of events came about because she was LAZY, INEPT, CRUEL and downright STUPID - she then has the cheek to fund her defence at HUGE public expense.
Clear?
Knowevenmore
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5:45pm Sun 23 Jan 11
goodpuss
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6:05pm Sun 23 Jan 11
Oh - is that the "laugh(ing) out loud" you're too lazy (or inept) to write in full?
Rats - my mistake.
Oh dear - so NOW am I to believe she's not an inept, lazy, cruel, money-grubbing troll?
No.
Go on - explain to me what was normal/caring/hard working/intelligent about:
1) Allowing so many animals to die?
2) Leaving their carcasses inside her home?
3) Keeping animals in unhealthy conditions & causing them further pain & suffering - KNOWINGLY?
The only thing she was right about was that she'd become a monster.
Her words.
(And she's been convicted of cruelty.)
And that's one of your friends? Lovely.
Triton
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7:16pm Sun 23 Jan 11
judgement day
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3:33pm Mon 24 Jan 11
7:09pm Fri 21 Jan 11
FlowerPower - Blagged you into fostering, that's a good thing in hindsight isn't it, der! Mentally ill? yep, at the time. Struggled and didn't ask for help? Yep! Hindsight is a wonderful thing. Fit Wolfhound pup? Don't know about that one but the one she had was sold to her cheap on the QT, and had the same illness it's sibling died from so make what you will of that.
MysteryMike, not a good photo no :-)
Goodpuss - She has NEVER had ANY benefit/allowance/et
c to date so you are useless at judging people from a photo
Shebby - Wrong mix basically
If Claire knows right from wrong, and if she had any compassion, this situation would not have occurred. Also, she would have confessed, not be protesting her innocence. With regard the wolfhound pup, she asked for it, and got it cheap because she was 'rescue' therefore considered a good home that would care for it, and it WASN'T suffering from the same condition as its sibling (which is NOT genetic, and that sibling lived for 18 months and had been ill from the day it was born as its stomach had been made wrong). Claire's pup was fit and healthy, like the rest of the litter. Anybody who can kill a pup and then pretend its still alive, even to her own mother, is evil. All she had to say was it got sick and died.
You need to wake up to reality, and Claire needs to tell someone where all the missing animals are.
wot the fvck?
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5:20pm Mon 24 Jan 11
reasoning
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7:35pm Mon 24 Jan 11
Beautiful Beau - GSD x found dead in his crate roughly a year old.
And little Stitch, a 10 month old staffie boy. Taken so young and no one held accountable.
And what of beautiful Romany, a loving lurcher girl.
Suffered long and slow deaths. What of the kitten? and other animals that were not saved in time.
You may try and lay blame on other rescues, but the responsibility is with Claire and Paul.
They allowed animals to suffer, with holding food and water and basic life necessities until they died.
The animals taken from the house, saved in the nick of time, need to have a voice, lucky not to be added to the too long list of the dead.
I hope for jail sentences, at least!! for the pair of them.
goodpuss
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7:09am Tue 25 Jan 11
wot the fvck? wrote:Seems they're not the only ones who knew what was going on - and said/did NOTHING to stop the suffering........... shame on you, too.
Well done to all those that would not take "no" as an answer. You know who you are, you knew she was struggling, but you also knew you could play on her emotions and get her to take the dog YOU didn't want any more. Now you sit in your ivory tower and think you can judge her? Shame on you.
wot the fvck?
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2:56pm Tue 25 Jan 11
goodpuss wrote:Oh you are such a lovely person, for your information I am too young to do anything about it. Are you?
wot the fvck? wrote:Seems they're not the only ones who knew what was going on - and said/did NOTHING to stop the suffering........... shame on you, too.
Well done to all those that would not take "no" as an answer. You know who you are, you knew she was struggling, but you also knew you could play on her emotions and get her to take the dog YOU didn't want any more. Now you sit in your ivory tower and think you can judge her? Shame on you.
goodpuss
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3:35pm Tue 25 Jan 11
wot the fvck? wrote:Look - you obviously knew what was going on.
goodpuss wrote:Oh you are such a lovely person, for your information I am too young to do anything about it. Are you?wot the fvck? wrote: Well done to all those that would not take "no" as an answer. You know who you are, you knew she was struggling, but you also knew you could play on her emotions and get her to take the dog YOU didn't want any more. Now you sit in your ivory tower and think you can judge her? Shame on you.Seems they're not the only ones who knew what was going on - and said/did NOTHING to stop the suffering........... shame on you, too.
You said nothing.
You claim now that you are too young to say anything - yet you try to point the finger at others in this column!
Claiming youth immunity?
I think not.
If you can post here - anonymously - you could have posted in the same way on an RSPCA site or a Police site.
You did NOTHING. Shame on YOU.
(Am I too young to do anything about a situation that YOU knew about? Daft question.)
wot the fvck?
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3:48pm Tue 25 Jan 11
goodpuss wrote:Who said I knew anything at the time? Not me. You obviously did by what you posted on here and you did nothing. There are probably lots of other people in the same position, but nobody wants to help them. A convenient and guilt free way to pass on your unwanted pets. Out of sight, out of mind.
wot the fvck? wrote:Look - you obviously knew what was going on.
goodpuss wrote:Oh you are such a lovely person, for your information I am too young to do anything about it. Are you?wot the fvck? wrote: Well done to all those that would not take "no" as an answer. You know who you are, you knew she was struggling, but you also knew you could play on her emotions and get her to take the dog YOU didn't want any more. Now you sit in your ivory tower and think you can judge her? Shame on you.Seems they're not the only ones who knew what was going on - and said/did NOTHING to stop the suffering........... shame on you, too.
You said nothing.
You claim now that you are too young to say anything - yet you try to point the finger at others in this column!
Claiming youth immunity?
I think not.
If you can post here - anonymously - you could have posted in the same way on an RSPCA site or a Police site.
You did NOTHING. Shame on YOU.
(Am I too young to do anything about a situation that YOU knew about? Daft question.)
goodpuss
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5:20pm Tue 25 Jan 11
Then you claim that you are too young "to do anything" - while proving that you were more than capable of using the correct means to report the situation.
NOW you claim "I didn't know at the time".
Get your story straight.
SHE is responsible for the mess she got into - her action and inaction CAUSED this mess and the crimes of which she was CONVICTED.
And a number of people who seemed to know what was going on did nothing to help those animals.-
"You know who you are, you knew she was struggling, but you also knew you could play on her emotions and get her to take the dog YOU didn't want any more. "
Your words - clearly implying that you knew her and what was going on.
Like I said - get your story straight.
wot the fvck?
says...
5:39pm Tue 25 Jan 11
goodpuss wrote:My "story" is straight, your mind isn't. Yes, those people DO know who they are and you are probably one of them, as you claim to know so much about it. All I am saying is this could never happened if people like you didn't pass on their unwanted pets
First you imply you know what happened and that - without the culpability of others this wouldn't have happened - while pointing the finger of shame at anyone but Strong.
Then you claim that you are too young "to do anything" - while proving that you were more than capable of using the correct means to report the situation.
NOW you claim "I didn't know at the time".
Get your story straight.
SHE is responsible for the mess she got into - her action and inaction CAUSED this mess and the crimes of which she was CONVICTED.
And a number of people who seemed to know what was going on did nothing to help those animals.-
"You know who you are, you knew she was struggling, but you also knew you could play on her emotions and get her to take the dog YOU didn't want any more. "
Your words - clearly implying that you knew her and what was going on.
Like I said - get your story straight.
wot the fvck?
says...
5:43pm Tue 25 Jan 11
goodpuss
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6:10pm Tue 25 Jan 11
I'm afraid your previous posts say it all:
"I'm a bit young and a bit of a fibber, and if you argue with me I'll thcweam & thcweam until I'm thick"
Tell me - if, as you claim - you're very young - what kind of family do you come from - choosing the kind of name you use?
Probably similar to Strongs'.
wot the fvck?
says...
6:58pm Tue 25 Jan 11
I'm not telling a person like you anything about myself. whatever I say you'll turn it to your advantage, or get off on it.
goodpuss
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8:15pm Tue 25 Jan 11
Silly thing.
I don't want to know you - or anything about you.
You've already posted most of the words that I can use against you - & you add more with each comment.
If I knew Strong I'd be ashamed - it seems most who really knew her didn't say anything until it was too late for a lot of the animals that suffered as a result of her neglect/cruelty.
Is that what's upsetting you?
Next time - SAY SOMETHING.
Knowevenmore
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9:51am Wed 26 Jan 11
Everyone else - People knew Claire prior to this tragic event, not that the event was/had taking/taken place, however, because they knew her, they can see the situation she was put in IN HINDSIGHT because they have listened to her and know the facts. It was circumstances which led to this, not malice in Claire.
There was NO Kitten, and the Wolfhound pup, if it was so fit, why was it 'all belly', didn't know when it was urinating, and couldn't co-ordinate it's back legs. What were the symptoms for it's 2 dead siblings? What was the illness common in wolfhounds years ago which vets see very rarely now-adays.
Knowevenmore
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11:03am Wed 26 Jan 11
shebby
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7:06am Thu 27 Jan 11
goodpuss wrote:are you trying to say that stone knew about what was going on?because if you are,you are well out of order mate.
You can meander all over the place in an attempt to blame every one but Stone and those like yourself. I'm afraid your previous posts say it all: "I'm a bit young and a bit of a fibber, and if you argue with me I'll thcweam & thcweam until I'm thick" Tell me - if, as you claim - you're very young - what kind of family do you come from - choosing the kind of name you use? Probably similar to Strongs'.
shebby
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5:06pm Sat 29 Jan 11
shebby wrote:whats up,gone a bit quite.i want to know WHO you are trying to blame as well as paul and claire?
goodpuss wrote: You can meander all over the place in an attempt to blame every one but Stone and those like yourself. I'm afraid your previous posts say it all: "I'm a bit young and a bit of a fibber, and if you argue with me I'll thcweam & thcweam until I'm thick" Tell me - if, as you claim - you're very young - what kind of family do you come from - choosing the kind of name you use? Probably similar to Strongs'.are you trying to say that stone knew about what was going on?because if you are,you are well out of order mate.
piggymoomoo
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11:57pm Thu 17 Feb 11
shebby
says...
11:20am Fri 18 Feb 11
piggymoomoo
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6:22pm Fri 18 Feb 11
shebby
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8:02pm Fri 18 Feb 11
piggymoomoo wrote:well all that is in the past,it is no good everyone going on about it.they not the first to get in a mess,and they definately wont be the last.
Well, I think it is of interest as she has not even been fined today. She does have income she just doesn't declare it. Think that is also against the law. People like her are an utter disgrace. She should at least own up and pay some of the costs.
Knowevenmore
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8:15pm Fri 18 Feb 11
piggymoomoo
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10:20pm Fri 18 Feb 11
Knowevenmore wrote:Years? I think u mean days!
God that was years ago. :-)
speshal person
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10:42pm Fri 18 Feb 11
piggymoomoo wrote:piggy, I've heard you take it up the 4rs3 for cash, does your other half know about it?
Knowevenmore wrote: God that was years ago. :-)Years? I think u mean days!
piggymoomoo
says...
12:31am Sat 19 Feb 11
speshal person wrote:Hahahaha, truth hurts does it :)
piggymoomoo wrote:piggy, I've heard you take it up the 4rs3 for cash, does your other half know about it?Knowevenmore wrote: God that was years ago. :-)Years? I think u mean days!
speshal person
says...
10:57am Sat 19 Feb 11
piggymoomoo wrote:I don't know, you tell me
speshal person wrote:Hahahaha, truth hurts does it :)piggymoomoo wrote:piggy, I've heard you take it up the 4rs3 for cash, does your other half know about it?Knowevenmore wrote: God that was years ago. :-)Years? I think u mean days!
boudicca rocks! says...
7:32pm Thu 20 Jan 11